West Bay Wind Project

wind turbine

Harnessing wind to provide renewable, reliable energy for Nova Scotians

ABO Energy Canada is in the early planning stages of a large-scale, onshore wind energy development in the West Bay-Parrsboro area of Cumberland County, Nova Scotia.

The proposed West Bay Wind Project would be located entirely on privately owned land. ABO Energy is currently conducting environmental and technical studies to assess the site's suitability, including wind resource measurements and ecological assessments.

Engagement is a cornerstone of our approach. We work with First Nations, local community members, and interest groups to understand land use, address concerns, and explore opportunities for collaboration to ensure the project benefits all stakeholders.

View the latest Project brochure and open house invitation here (June 2025)

Development

Current status

Permitting process

Construction

Operation

News

March 2026: Update on Project Status and Next Steps

We are pleased to share that development of the proposed West Bay Wind Project in Cumberland County continues to move forward. This onshore wind project is in its early planning stages and has several key steps ahead. Here are some recent updates we’d like to share:

Upcoming Provincial Onshore Wind Procurement

Nova Scotia continues to require additional renewable energy and procures onshore wind power through a competitive process called the Green Choice Program. For projects to proceed toward construction and operation, they must be successful in this procurement, one of many regulatory requirements along the way. During a recent presentation from the Nova Scotia Department of Energy to Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) members, it was indicated that the next round of the Green Choice Program is expected to be announced in Summer 2026, with bids likely due in the fall and successful projects potentially announced by the end of 2026.

What this Means for the Project

We anticipate the Project will be submitted into the next Green Choice Program tender, strengthened through a collaborative approach involving an investor and First Nations partner(s). While this information remains subject to change, we are using it to guide our planning and currently anticipate the following activities for the West Bay Wind Project:

Note – All timelines are subject to change

2026

Summer 2026: Expected announcement of the next Green Choice Program round
August-September 2026: Project update mailouts and community open house / public information session
Fall 2026: Submission of the Project into the Green Choice Program procurement and Environmental Assessment Registration
Late 2026/Early 2027: Anticipated announcement of successful projects
Ongoing: Community and First Nations engagement will continue, and we will share updates as new information becomes available.

2027 and Beyond

If selected in the 2026 Green Choice Program and securing all other regulatory requirements, the Project could proceed to signing a Power Purchase Agreement and move toward construction in 2027-2028, with potential operations beginning in 2029-2030.

Project Community Liaison Committee (CLC)

Thank you for those who have expressed interest in joining the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) – we will be in touch when we are looking to plan our first meeting this year. We’re still welcoming additional volunteers to share input, community perspectives, and guidance to help shape the Project. Once up and running, the CLC will meet regularly to discuss project plans, identify issues, and explore solutions.

We appreciate your interest in the Project and value your input as development progresses. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, would like to inquire about our CLC, or to share feedback.

Information Session #1 – Materials, Summary and FAQ

Thank you to everyone who joined us on July 8, 2025, at the Parrsboro Band Hall for our first community information session about the West Bay Wind Project. Nearly 50 people attended, exploring project maps and display boards, speaking with our team, asking great questions, and offering valuable local insights.

Click here to view our Information Session map and posterboards >

Click here for a summary of What We Heard and responses to Frequently Asked Questions from our first Information Session >

The project is still in the early planning stages. Ahead of us are several key steps, including:

Ongoing environmental and technical studies
Continued engagement with the local community and NS Mi’kmaq
Submitting the Project into the Province’s next renewable competitive procurement process
Completing an Environmental Assessment registration and additional regulatory approvals

We’re committed to keeping you informed and involved as the Project moves forward. Your input plays an important role in shaping the future of the project.

Public Information Session in Parrsboro – July 8, 2025

Please join us for the first public information session for the West Bay Wind Project to learn more and share your feedback with us:

Tuesday, July 8, 2025: 4pm – 7pm (drop-in anytime during these hours)
The Hall (Parrsboro Band Hall)
44 King Street, Parrsboro

Refreshments will be provided. If you have questions about the project or the open house, please contact heidi.kirby@aboenergy.com or call +1-902-329-9907.

About West Bay Wind

The West Bay Wind Project will help Nova Scotia transition from fossil fuels to clean energy by harnessing local wind resources. The power generated will be fed into the provincial grid to support Nova Scotia’s renewable energy goals.

The Project will support Nova Scotia’s Clean Power Plan which aims for 80% renewable electricity by 2030.
The province plans to add 1,000 MW of wind power before 2030 through additional renewable energy procurement rounds.
ABO Energy aims to submit this project into the next provincial renewable energy tender, anticipated as early as 2026.

Project information

Site Location

Proposed Project area: Various layouts are currently being considered, including the 12-turbine layout proposed in the map above

Approximately 2 km west of Parrsboro in Cumberland County, NS.
Situated on Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq.
The site includes ~980 hectares of private land previously used for forestry.
Over 77% of proposed roads already exist.
The area of interest was primarily due to high wind speeds, previous forestry activity, private land lease access, distance from residential areas, proximity to transmission infrastructure, and road access.

Project Scope

Capacity: 80-130 megawatts (MW) powered by up to 22 wind turbines. The current layout includes 12 turbines; however, the Project may have potential for future expansion.
Potential to power ~32,000 homes annually.
Estimated project value: $250 million CAD (subject to change).
Potential CO₂ emissions offset: 3-6 million tonnes over the Project’s lifetime.
Construction anticipated to begin in 2027 or 2028; operations expected by 2029 or 2030.

Development Timeline

This timeline includes estimates and is subject to change.

Activity	Timeline
Engagement with Community, First Nations and Government	Ongoing
Environmental Field Studies	2024/2025
Environmental Assessment Submission	2026
Engineering and Geotechnical* Studies	2026 - 2027
Construction	2027 - 2028
Wind Farm Operations Begin	2029 - 2030

*Preliminary geotechnical studies completed on roads/some turbine locations

Environmental Studies & Regulatory Process

The Project requires an Environmental Assessment (EA) from the Nova Scotia government before construction can begin.
The EA includes public input, field studies, and oversight from multiple government agencies.
Environmental work began in 2024 and is ongoing. This includes:
- Desktop and onsite environmental studies to understand wetlands, habitat, birds and wildlife in the area.
- Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study (MEKS) (site visits begin summer 2025)
- Archaeological Resource Impact Assessment (site visits begin summer 2025)
Wind measurement equipment (LiDAR & MET tower) to assess viability and optimal turbine placement. LiDAR and MET tower installed in 2024.

Community Benefits

Clean, reliable energy for Nova Scotia homes and businesses.
Municipal tax contributions throughout the 25+ year life of the project.
Local jobs and economic activity, including:
- ~80 jobs during construction
- 1–3 long-term operational roles
- Support for local businesses (accommodations, fuel, restaurants, supplies)
Community Fund to support local initiatives, sponsorships, and projects.
Opportunities for Indigenous capacity building, employment, and mentorship.

Commitment to Engagement

We prioritize transparency, respect, and early engagement.
Our approach includes:
- Open houses, meetings, and direct outreach
- Regular project updates through our website, mail-outs, and community events
- Multiple feedback channels: email, phone, and meetings
We are accessible to you and committed to ongoing dialogue throughout planning, construction, and operations.

Opportunities & Infrastructure Needs

The project will create a wide range of economic opportunities:

Jobs & Services Required

Construction and trades: labourers, operators, truck drivers, crane operators, safety personnel.
Other specialized positions: engineers, wind turbine technicians (NSCC now offers a dedicated program), administrative staff.
Local and regional contracts for:
- Tree clearing and land preparation
- Road construction and maintenance
- Wind turbine foundation and installation
- Transmission infrastructure
- Site security and maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to view our current West Bay Wind FAQs with responses to common questions we’ve heard.

About ABO Energy

Globally experienced. Locally focused.

Founded in Germany in 1996, ABO Energy (formerly ABO Wind) has been active in Canada since 2017.
Our focus includes wind, solar, battery storage, and green hydrogen projects.
We have over 30 employees in Canada, including 10 based in Nova Scotia.
Our Halifax-based Atlantic Canada team is developing projects in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
ABO Energy developed and fully permitted Canada’s largest wind farm to date: the Buffalo Plains Wind Farm in Alberta.
We operate in 16 countries across Europe, the Americas, and Africa—combining global expertise with a strong local presence.

Vendors and Suppliers

If you are a Vendor interested in providing your goods and/or services to ABO Energy Canada Ltd. we ask that you submit your company information via our ‘Supplier Registration Form’ located here:

Supplier Registration (netbenefitsoftware.com) >

What questions do you have about West Bay Wind? Please do not hesitate to contact us.