Oceanic Wind Energy and its partner, Coast Tsimshian Enterprises (CTE), have been jointly granted an investigative use permit (IUP) for the first phase of a proposed offshore wind project in Hecate Strait, British Columbia.
CTE is a 50-50 partnership of the indigenous Metlakatla and Lax Kw’alaams First Nations. The first phase of the Oceanic Wind project, located west of Stephens Island, is targeting a capacity of 600 to 700 megawatts (MW). Mike O’Connor, President of Oceanic Wind Energy, described the permit as a major step closer to realizing what could be Canada’s first offshore wind project.
The developers noted that Hecate Strait has a powerful and consistent wind resource, with average annual wind speeds exceeding 10 metres per second. The project is positioned to deliver utility-scale power to support the energy demands of the Port of Prince Rupert and other industrial sectors in the region.
Ryan Leighton, a director at CTE, stated that the project's first phase will help power the region’s growth while creating "long-term economic benefits."