Some – but not all – prequalified bidders for Canada’s first offshore wind auction unveiled 

Among the companies that have prequalified to bid for seabed licences are a number of well-known developers, offshore contractors and wind turbine OEMS.

Three areas have been identified for the country’s first offshore wind auction, with the zones in those areas to be used for the development of offshore windfarms to be defined after input from industry.

The call for information NS25-1R and prequalification NS25-1R were issued after CNSOER received joint strategic direction from the government of Canada and the government of Nova Scotia. 

The list of prequalified companies includes: DEME Concessions Wind NV; a consortium including DP Energy Canada Limited, Enterprize Energy Atlantic Pte Ltd, Nova East Wind, and SBM Renewables. Others include a consortium including Hanwha Ocean and Q Energy; Jan De Nul; Ming Yang Smart Energy; Northland Power; and Simply Blue Energy.

The CNSOER did not share the full list of prequalified companies and has not disclosed others that did not provide consent to have their status made public.

The 90-day prequalification process was initiated on 16 October 2025 and closed on 13 January 2026. Only companies who are prequalified by the CNSOER will be eligible to bid on a parcel(s) in the upcoming offshore wind call for bids. 

At this time, said CNSOER, it cannot provide details on when an offshore wind call for bids is expected to be held.

To prequalify, companies were required to meet certain financial, technical, and legal and social criteria.