Project Updates & Media Coverage

The Nova Scotia-New Brunswick Reliability Tie, named the Wasoqonatl Transmission Line, is a new 345 kV transmission line that will run approximately 160 km from Onslow, Nova Scotia to Salisbury, New Brunswick. The project is designed to promote cross-border energy sharing, strengthen energy resiliency across both provinces, and support the integration of more renewable energy into the grid.

In Spring 2025, CIB was working to finalize a loan with WMA to finance the Indigenous ownership stake. This equity investment was positioned as a way to advance economic opportunity and provide long-term financial returns to Mi’kmaw communities.

The project logo was unveiled on March 5, 2025. It was inspired by Mi’kmaw basket weave and was described as reflecting interdependence, collaboration, and the project’s purpose of connecting power grids and communities across two provinces.

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.

This season’s newsletter is available at: https://mailchi.mp/4fa4f18cb159/j8sw3xrlh3-6745238

Between the start of the summer of 2025 until the start of October, much project progress has been made. Completed milestones include the delivery of the turbines to the project site, installation and energizing of the Substation Transformer, and erection of all turbines. Civil works including site roads, crane pads and substation work are mostly completed.

The Benjamins Mills Wind Farm is located in West Hants, Nova Scotia, approximately 14 kms southwest of Windsor. The project consists of 8 wind turbines, which will generate approximately 34 megawatts of electricity. The project is developed under the Renewable Benefit Program (RBP) through a partnership with Natural Forces.

All environmental and municipal permits have been obtained. Rightsholder and stakeholder consultation is ongoing throughout the lifetime of the project. Phase 1 construction is ongoing, but has been paused for wind turbine component deliveries until the Spring, depending on weather conditions. Commercial operations are still anticipated for the end of 2025.