Offshore Wind Prequalification

Offshore wind Prequalification NS25-1R was opened for 90 days from October 16, 2025, to January 13, 2026.

On October 16, 2025, the CNSOER commenced its 90-day offshore wind Prequalification NS25-1R. Prequalification was open from October 16, 2025, to January 13, 2026. The CNSOER has completed the review of all prequalification applications received, and all applicants were notified about the outcome of their prequalification application.  

Only companies who are prequalified by the CNSOER will be eligible to bid on a parcel(s) in the next offshore wind Call for Bids. The CNSOER continues to actively prepare the offshore renewable energy recommendation to make an offshore wind Call for Bids, which is then subject to the federal and provincial Ministerial review and approval process set out in legislation. At this time, the CNSOER can not provide further details on when offshore wind Call for Bids is expected to be held.

Prequalified Companies for Offshore Wind Prequalification NS25-1R 

Prequalified companies for offshore wind Prequalification NS25-1R were given the option of having their prequalification status made public by the CNSOER or keeping their status confidential. Companies that applied for offshore wind Prequalification NS25-1R as part of a group required the consent of each member of their group to have their status posted on the CNSOER’s website.  

List of Prequalified Companies  

The following is a list of the companies that have prequalified to participate in offshore wind Call for Bids NS25-1R and have consented to having their prequalification status made public by the CNSOER. Companies that did not consent to having their prequalification status made public by the CNSOER are not included in this list.  

Group composition may change (including new groups forming) after groups have been prequalified, so long as at least one member of the group that prequalified for the Financial Criteria and Technical Criteria is present in each group. For more information, please see our Prequalification Question & Answers document.

This list will be updated as companies consent to having their prequalification status made public by the CNSOER:  

  • DEME Concessions Wind N.V
  • A group comprised of DP Energy Canada Limited, Enterprize Energy Atlantic Pte. Ltd., Nova East Wind Inc., and SBM Renewables Holding SA
  • A group comprised of Hanwha Ocean Co, Ltd. and Q ENERGY France SAS
  • Jan De Nul nv
  • Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Limited
  • Northland Power Inc.
  • Renewable Energy Systems Holdings Limited
  • Simply Blue Energy (OSW) Ltd.  

It is important to note that the CNSOER will not share the total number of prequalified companies. We will only share those prequalified companies who provided consent to having their status made public. The CNSOER will also not share the name or number of companies that did not prequalify. 

Background on Offshore Wind Prequalification NS25-1R

The purpose of the offshore wind Prequalification process was to review and identify eligible companies that could participate in the next offshore wind Call for Bids.

To prequalify, companies were required to meet certain financial, technical, and legal and social criteria. Interested companies were required to submit information via a downloadable form to demonstrate how they met these prequalification requirements.  

As noted in the Strategic Direction letter issued to the CNSOER, there were three key categories through which all developers needed to qualify to proceed to an offshore wind Call for Bids. The CNSOER assessed specific elements to determine if a developer could meet a minimum acceptable threshold that justified their participation in a future offshore wind Call for Bids. Those categories included:

  • Financial Capability
    • Equity ratio or debt rating
    • Annual turnover or net assets, or funds under management  
       
  • Technical Expertise
    • Direct experience in offshore wind development or other relevant experience (e.g., offshore oil and gas or other renewable energy projects), demonstrate access to external offshore wind expertise, and knowledge of the local supply chain. 
       
  • Legal and Social Status
    • History of regulatory compliance, maintaining Health, Safety and Environment and Human Rights standards, and ethical conduct

Evaluation of the offshore wind Prequalification NS25-1R applications was completed by a committee comprised of CNSOER staff and supported by external consultants, including a fairness advisor. The outcome of this assessment was reviewed and approved by the Members of the Regulator.  

Participation in Offshore Wind Prequalification NS25-1R 

The offshore wind Prequalification NS25-1R closed on January 13, 2026. Because offshore wind Prequalification NS25-1R is closed, there are no additional opportunities to prequalify.

To prequalify, companies needed to complete the offshore wind Prequalification NS25-1R form, which can be viewed here: 

Answers to questions posed to the CNSOER about offshore wind Prequalification NS25-1R were posted in the below PDF document for all interested companies to review. Applicants were encouraged to review this document before making their submission. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about offshore wind Prequalification NS25-1R, please email landtenure@cnsoer.ca