Offshore wind ‘can help meet Canada’s rapidly growing electricity demand’

In its report, Marine Renewable Energy Sector Vision 2050, Marine Renewables Canada outlines a national roadmap, describing how offshore wind, tidal, wave, and river current energy can help meet Canada’s rapidly growing electricity demand while strengthening affordability, reliability, and energy security.

The report said Canada’s clean energy transition is entering a decisive phase. Electricity demand is projected to increase two to threefold by 2050 as transport, buildings, and industry electrify, and new markets such as data centres and green fuel production emerge. Meeting this demand will require a significant expansion of clean-electricity supply and enabling infrastructure. 

Marine Renewables Canada executive director Elisa Obermann said, “Canada’s electricity demand is rising rapidly, and the global race for clean energy investment is accelerating. Marine renewable energy is no longer a future possibility – it is a strategic opportunity Canada must act on now.

“Our report shows how tidal, offshore wind, wave, and river current energy can strengthen our power systems, support reconciliation, and deliver long-term economic and climate benefits.” 

With lengthy coastlines and strong winds, Canada has a potentially huge offshore wind resource. By 2050, this Vision sees marine renewable energy as a key pillar of Canada’s clean energy transition – supporting climate action, strengthening energy systems, and fostering resilient communities and sustainable economic growth.

By 2050, Sector Vision 2050 sees marine renewable energy as a key pillar of Canada’s clean energy transition, with an established offshore wind market, with more than 30 GW of capacity deployed or under construction nationwide, supporting domestic electricity demand, industrial electrification, data centres, clean fuel production, and offshore decarbonisation.

The report also foresees Canada having ‘global leadership’ in tidal energy and wave energy, and a thriving marine renewable energy sector, generating an estimated C$12Bn (US$9Bn) in GDP impact from construction activity alone, while positioning Canada as a global exporter of marine renewable technologies and expertise. 

The report also highlights the recent establishment of a joint federal–provincial regulatory framework for offshore wind, and Nova Scotia’s Wind West Atlantic Energy initiative, identifying more than 60 GW of offshore wind potential for local use and export opportunities.

However, the Vision also makes clear that scaling marine renewables to their full potential will require co-ordinated action to address persistent barriers, including regulatory uncertainty, limited transmission and port infrastructure, supply chain constraints, and access to long-term financing. 

Marine Renewables Canada senior policy advisor Jonathan Robinson said what is needed now is policy certainty. He outlined several practical actions governments can take, from interprovincial transmission to streamlined approvals, that will unlock private capital and accelerate deployment. These actions include federal leadership on interprovincial electricity planning to better connect marine resources with growing demand centres; strategic investment in transmission and port infrastructure to reduce costs and unlock private capital; clear, long-term procurement targets that provide dependable offtake pathways; and stable investment frameworks that derisk projects and attract global developers.

Equally important are streamlined, predictable regulatory processes that maintain high environmental and social standards; responsible co-existence with fisheries, shipping, and other ocean users; and meaningful Indigenous partnerships grounded in rights, reconciliation, and shared economic benefits.

The report also highlights how the need for targeted research, development, and demonstration support, alongside active international engagement, will further position Canada as a leader in marine renewable energy innovation and exports.