Marine Renewables Canada embraces offshore wind

Canada’s national association for wave and tidal energy, Marine Renewables Canada, has added offshore wind to its mandate as it looks to explore the similarities between the resources to advance the sector as a whole.

Like wave and tidal energy, offshore wind projects operate in harsh marine environments and development presents many of the same challenges and benefits as it does for other marine renewable energy resources, Marine Renewables Canada said.

Recognizing the significant overlap between offshore wind and wave and tidal energy when it comes to the supply chain, regulatory issues, and the operating environment – the association plans to focus on similarities and synergies of the resources in order to advance the sector as a whole and ensure that clean electricity from waves, tides, rivers, and offshore wind play a significant role in Canada’s low-carbon future.

Tim Brownlow, Chair of Marine Renewables Canada, said: “Many of our members working on tidal and wave energy projects also have expertise that can service offshore wind projects both domestically and internationally.

“For us, offshore wind is a natural fit and our involvement will help ensure that Canadian companies and researchers are gaining knowledge and opportunities in the offshore wind sector as it grows.”

Canada has the longest coastlines in the world, giving it huge potential for offshore wind energy development, according to Marine Renewables Canada.

In addition to the resource, Canada has significant capabilities from offshore and marine industries that can contribute to offshore wind energy projects and industry which is estimated to grow by over 650% by 2030, the association said.

Elisa Obermann, Executive Director of Marine Renewables Canada, said: “The federal government’s recent inclusion of offshore renewables in legislation and support for emerging renewable energy technologies are important steps toward building this industry.

“There are still challenges to address before we’ll see offshore wind energy development in Canada, but we see a great opportunity to get more involved now, increase our experience, and help inform future development.”