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The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is investing $224.2 million in loans to support the development of the Goose Harbour Lake Wind Farm, a major renewable energy initiative in Nova Scotia. The financing will assist Port Hawkesbury Paper Wind Ltd. in building the large-scale wind project and enable 13 Mi’kmaw First Nations, represented by Wskijinu’k Mtmo’taqnuow Agency Ltd. (WMA), to acquire a 10% equity stake in the venture.
The project includes the installation of 24 Nordex N163-7.0MW cold climate turbines, each with a 118-metre hub height and equipped with anti-icing blade technology. Once operational, the wind farm will deliver 168 megawatts of zero-emission electricity, supporting both the Nova Scotia energy grid and the province’s largest industrial power consumer—Port Hawkesbury Paper.
Led by RES Canada Construction LP, the project is expected to reach commercial operations in 2026. It will generate up to 150 jobs at the peak of construction and create up to five permanent roles during its operational phase. The wind farm will contribute significantly to regional economic development and sustainability efforts.
Port Hawkesbury Paper is a key economic driver in eastern Nova Scotia, employing approximately 325 people directly and contracting another 900 jobs through forestry and related industries. The new wind project will further bolster the mill’s operations with clean energy and support its long-term viability.
This investment marks CIB’s second Indigenous equity loan to WMA, following a similar initiative supporting an energy storage project in Nova Scotia last year. Through this funding, WMA continues to expand Indigenous participation in Canada’s clean energy transition.
Once operational, the Goose Harbour Lake Wind Farm is expected to cut energy-related emissions by over 350,000 tonnes annually—equivalent to 2.4% of Nova Scotia’s total emissions in 2021. The initiative aligns with the province’s goal to shift from coal-based energy to renewable sources.
The funding comes from the CIB’s $10 billion Clean Power priority sector, aimed at bridging financing gaps in renewable energy, district energy systems, and energy storage projects across the country.
