Offshore Wind Energy Agreement between Maine and Nova Scotia

“AWEA is pleased to see the MOU between Maine and Nova Scotia that is focused on offshore renewable energy collaboration through research and data sharing. This type of partnership will help the North American offshore wind energy industry reach its potential, and realize its many environmental, economic and job creation benefits.”

The leaders of Maine and Nova Scotia have signed an agreement pledging closer collaboration on research and development of tidal energy as well as offshore wind energy.

Gov. John Baldacci of Maine and Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter signed the memorandum of understanding Monday during a meeting of New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers in Massachusetts.

Under the agreement signed Monday, Maine and Nova Scotia will "investigate opportunities and areas within which to cooperate on furthering off-shore wind and tidal energy technology and application."

Much of the recent focus on renewable energy in the Gulf of Maine has been on offshore wind. The region is considered to have some of the best offshore wind resources on the planet, however the technology to capture that wind in the deep, stormy waters of the gulf is still in development.

But the Gulf of Maine and, in particular, the Bay of Fundy has the highest tidal ranges in the world, making it a prime location for industrial tidal energy projects.

As with offshore wind power, there is significant research taking place in both countries – including a pilot project deployed near Eastport – on technologies that harness the power of the tides with minimal impacts on marine life, fisheries and communities.

The initiative is intended to support the next World Acadian Congress, which will be held in 2014 in northern Maine, Quebec and New Brunswick.

AWEA is the national trade association of America’s wind industry, with more than 2,500 member companies, including global leaders in wind power and energy development, wind turbine manufacturing, component and service suppliers, and the world’s largest wind power trade show. AWEA is the voice of wind energy in the U.S., promoting renewable energy to power a cleaner, stronger America.

www.awea.org