Canada Grants Investigative Use Permit for Potential Offshore Wind Farm

Canada has granted an Investigative Use Permit to Oceanic Wind Energy for what could potentially become the country’s first offshore wind farm. In partnership with Coast Tsimshian Enterprises, a First Nation company, Oceanic Wind Energy sees this permit as a significant milestone in their efforts to advance offshore energy to power the growing industrial areas of Northwest British Columbia.

The proposed plan involves developing a 600 to 700 MW offshore wind farm located just west of Stephens Island on the Hecate Strait, approximately 20 miles from Price Rupert and near the border with Alaska. The strategic location aims to meet the energy demands of the expanding operations at the Port of Prince Rupert and support the growing industrial and resource sectors in northern British Columbia, including LNG export operations.

Despite being in a sheltered strait, the companies emphasize that the Hecate Strait offers ideal conditions for offshore wind power development, boasting one of the world’s most powerful and consistent wind resources.

Mike O’Connor, President of Oceanic Wind Energy, stated, “With Class 7 wind conditions, low shear and turbidity, average annual wind speeds exceeding 10 m/s, and a winter capacity factor of over 65%, the area presents an unparalleled opportunity to generate clean, reliable energy—particularly during BC’s peak demand season.”

This Investigative Use Permit is the latest in a series of approvals the project has received. Earlier this year, the company’s Crown Land Tenure Application for Windpower Investigation was approved, showcasing progress in advancing the project. The British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship also completed an initial review of the project at the end of 2024, initiating a comment period that concluded in February.

Oceanic Wind Energy views these approvals as the initial phase of their plan and intends to continue the investigation to define the project further. The company faces competition from other projects aiming to develop Canada’s offshore wind power industry, with similar efforts underway on the Atlantic coast in provinces like Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador.

Nova Scotia’s Department of Energy and Natural Resources outlined five potential zones for offshore wind development in May 2025, with four along the Atlantic coast and one in the Cabot Strait to the north. Nova Scotia has set a target to offer leases for 5 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030, highlighting the province’s commitment to renewable energy initiatives.