Novaporte Wind Canada LP has received pre-qualified status under the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator’s (CNSOER) offshore wind call for bids.
At least seven other companies and consortia have pre-qualified for upcoming bidding, and the CNSOER released their names on June 26. The regulator noted that the list would be updated as companies consent to having their pre-qualification status made public, which Novaporte announced July 2.
Novaporte Wind Canada LP is a specialized subsidiary and partnership within Novaporte and Sydney Harbour Investment Partners (SHIP) formed specifically to advance long-term Indigenous equity and participation in the clean energy and offshore wind sector. It hopes to serve as a strategic port asset for offshore wind development, supporting the Northeast Atlantic US and Eastern Canada.
Prequalification confirms that Novaporte Wind Canada LP has met the requirements necessary to participate in Nova Scotia’s inaugural offshore wind seabed licensing process.
Also known as Novaporte/SHIP, the company is a 2,000-plus acre deep-water port, logistics, and green energy infrastructure project with land located near Point Edward across the harbour from Sydney. According to its website, the greenfield development is planned to meet the projected doubling of maritime cargo traffic through North America’s east coast by 2050 with a zero-carbon transportation infrastructure.
Novaporte Wind Canada LP will encompass a small part of the company’s footprint with the first phase of the wind energy project consisting of flat, laydown land and marshalling – essentially the logistical process of sorting, assembling, and organizing cargo in the terminal yard.
CONTRACT RENEWAL VOTED DOWN
The company applied for pre-qualification status in the fall of 2025, before the Cape Breton Regional Municipal council was taken to task by some in January 2026 for having an economic relationship with Novaporte on lands in Sydney harbour even though a contract had expired in 2024.
A contentious CBRM council meeting in January ended in a split vote held to decide whether the municipality would continue development negotiations with Novaporte. A split vote meant that the motion was defeated and the situation between CBRM and Novaporte is currently being re-evaluated.
Opposition to the renewal of the untendered contract was largely based on an apparent lack of physical development of the land since 2015 at what is referred to as the greenfield site. The process over the decade the company has leased the land has been criticized for a lack of transparency, poor communication, and too few updates on the project.
On the other hand, supporters of a renewed contract claim development and change have been ongoing despite setbacks beyond the control of Novaporte and SHIP such as the railroad not being re-built in Cape Breton.
Marlene Usher, former Port of Sydney chief executive officer wrote an opinion piece for the Cape Breton Post in which she pointed out that once the company realized using rail was not an option, it turned its focus on the emerging wind energy industry in Nova Scotia.
“When an offshore wind developer contacted the PSDC (Port of Sydney) looking for a laydown yard, it became clear that offshore wind development did not require rail. Novaporte recognized the opportunity immediately,” Usher responded to the contract criticism earlier this year. “(It was) another natural resource opportunity for Nova Scotia, and the only viable path forward given the realities with rail. That pivot was approved, and once again, Novaporte went to work.”
She said it is not unreasonable for a greenfield project of that scale to take 10 to 20 years of development.
MEMBERTOU PARTNERSHIP
Novaporte Wind Canada LP is a Mi’kmaq-led partnership between Sydney Harbour Investment Partners and Membertou First Nation.
It was established to advance long-term participation in Nova Scotia’s emerging offshore wind industry through shared ownership, strategic partnerships and responsible clean energy development. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to building one of Canada’s pioneering Indigenous-led offshore wind platforms, founded on long-term investment and meaningful Indigenous ownership.
“This milestone reflects years of collaboration built on a shared commitment to future generations. Indigenous communities should participate not only through consultation, but through ownership and long-term partnership,” said Membertou Chief Terry Paul. “The strongest partnerships are those that create lasting opportunity not only for our own communities, but for future generations across Nova Scotia.”
Albert Barbusci, chief executive officer of Novaporte Wind Canada LP, said this development is an important milestone for the future of offshore wind development in Nova Scotia.
“From the beginning, our vision has been to build an Indigenous-led offshore wind platform founded on genuine partnership, long-term investment and shared opportunities. Today’s prequalification reflects years of preparation and collaboration and positions Novaporte Wind Canada LP to participate in Nova Scotia’s emerging offshore wind industry. We look forward to working alongside governments, industry and our strategic partners as this exciting new chapter unfolds,” he said.
Prequalification does not constitute the award of an offshore wind licence. It represents an important step in the CNSOER process and enables Novaporte Wind Canada LP to participate in the province’s upcoming offshore wind seabed licensing process.
In a statement delivered last week, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said the province’s offshore wind resource has captured the attention of international wind energy companies.
“Now pre-qualified by the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator, they can work on their proposals for Nova Scotia’s first offshore wind call for bids, which will open later this year,” he said. “Our Wind West plan represents a generational opportunity – one that will create good-paying local jobs, attract billions of dollars in new investment, generate new export revenues and drive significant economic growth across the region for decades.”
Rosemary Godin is the Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for the Cape Breton Post, a position funded by the federal government.
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Jul 08, 2026 at 07:33
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