GREEN ENERGY

Those considerations include the roles of facilities like the bulk terminal.

“We’re doing our best to amplify voice across the island, whether it’s businesses or individual community members,” Macneil told the Cape Breton Post. She added green investors haven’t only brought money to the area, but have been involved in community-level consultations.

“They’re showing how much they believe their (investments) will work in the way they’re engaging with communities. They’re very present in the that they’re operating in, which is an encouraging thing to see.”

The Partnership has not only been working to promote the local industry but has been holding public consultation sessions — led by Macneil — around Cape Breton to share information about the future of local offshore wind.

Before any turbines can spin in local waters, a regulatory system still needs to be implemented by the province, along with legal amendments. At that point, leases will be awarded to wind developers.

The province hopes to offer them by 2030.

OPPORTUNITY SETS SAIL

But once that happens, Cape Breton Partnership CEO

Tyler Mattheis said the benefits and investment stemming from these developments can be tremendous. He had toured offshonredwind sites in Denmark to see how they work.

“The existing port facilities surrounding the Port of Sydney are a great asset,” he

said. “We saw what these kinds of sites can do and what kind of impact they can have on communities like Esbjerg (Denmark). We’re seeing similarities with some of these great, exciting opportunities.”

The bulk terminal plans to continue networking with offshore wind developers,

especially in the U.S. where many projects are underway.

The terminal’s management is well aware of what local economic spinoff could come from it. Morykot said the fact it takes more than 60 people to move a single windmill monopile proves that potential.