Goose Harbour Lake Wind Farm
RELATIONSHIP
SECTOR
Goose Harbour Lake Wind is a major renewable energy project in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, developed by Port Hawkesbury Paper Wind with Indigenous equity participation through WMA. The project will include 24 wind turbines and is expected to generate 168 MW of zero-emission electricity. CIB describes it as one of Nova Scotia’s largest wind energy projects and identifies it as part of the clean energy and Indigenous infrastructure sectors.
The project is designed to support both Nova Scotia’s electricity grid and the operations of Port Hawkesbury Paper, the province’s largest industrial user of electricity. WMA’s project page states the project is designed to meet 60% of Port Hawkesbury Paper’s power demand, while CIB notes that it will help ensure the mill has sufficient power to maintain productive operations. The project is expected to reduce emissions by approximately 357,000 tonnes of CO2e annually, supporting Nova Scotia’s transition away from coal and toward renewable electricity.
For WMA, Goose Harbour Lake Wind represents a significant equity investment in clean energy infrastructure, with the 13 Mi’kmaw First Nations acquiring a 10% stake in the project. Crystal Nicholas describes the project as both a renewable energy investment and a step toward empowering Mi’kmaw communities, supporting industry, creating jobs, and fostering regional economic development. The project also includes environmental commitments, including a mainland moose monitoring plan and additional field studies noted on WMA’s project page.
Related Partners
- Wskijinu’k Mtmo’taqnuow Agency Ltd.
- Port Hawkesbury Paper Wind / PHP Wind
- Port Hawkesbury Paper
- Canada Infrastructure Bank
- Stonebridge Financial Corporation
- Municipality of the District of Guysborough
- Nordex Group, as turbine supplier noted in WMA/CIB materials
- KMK / KMKNO, connected to environmental and Mi’kmaw engagement considerations
Key Facts & Media
- 24 wind turbines
- 168 MW of zero-emission electricity generation capacity
- 13 Mi’kmaw First Nations to acquire a 10% stake in the project
- CIB investment listed at $224.2 million
- Expected to reduce emissions by approximately 357,000 tonnes CO2e annually
- Designed to support Port Hawkesbury Paper, Nova Scotia’s largest industrial electricity user
- Expected to create 150 jobs at peak construction
- Commercial operations expected in 2026, based on WMA’s current project page and CIB materials
- Environmental assessment approved with conditions
Project Partners
Port Hawkesbury Paper Wind
Port Hawkesbury Paper Wind is a renewable energy project company connected to Port Hawkesbury Paper and the development of wind energy in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia.
Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB)
Canada Infrastructure Bank is a federal Crown corporation and infrastructure investor that provides repayable financing for revenue-generating infrastructure projects across Canada.
Wskijinu’k Mtmo’taqnuow Agency Ltd.
Wskijinu’k Mtmo’taqnuow Agency Ltd. is the economic development organization owned by Nova Scotia’s 13 Mi’kmaw communities, created to advance shared business opportunities and long-term prosperity for the Mi’kmaw Nation.
The Goose Harbour Lake Wind Farm continued to move forward as a major renewable energy project in Guysborough County. The project is being developed through Port Hawkesbury Paper Wind and will include 24 turbines capable of generating 168 MW of clean energy. It is designed to support Port Hawkesbury Paper, Nova Scotia’s largest industrial electricity user, and meet approximately 60% of the mill’s required power demand. The Spring 2025 WMA newsletter notes that the project is expected to reduce Nova Scotia’s carbon footprint by more than 350,000 tonnes per year.
WMA and PHP Wind reached financial close in early January 2025, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2026. The project also includes continued communications and outreach with Mi’kmaw communities, with project materials being shared through the PHP Wind website.
As part of the project’s environmental responsibilities, PHP Wind is undertaking a mainland moose monitoring plan and completing additional field studies, following input from KMK.
Construction continued at a strong pace through Fall 2025, with more than 170 people on site. Significant progress was made on road, bridge, and culvert construction throughout the summer. Civil work at the transformer pad, substation, switchyard, and Operations & Maintenance building locations also progressed, including excavation, forming, and the pouring of most foundations.
Major progress was also made on turbine pad construction, supported by the installation, commissioning, and use of a new concrete batch plant. As of September 2025, 14 of the 24 foundations had been poured.
Despite very dry summer conditions, work continued under permit and subject to strict environmental conditions. The project remained on schedule, with wind turbine package delivery expected to begin in April 2026.