Advertisement

Nova Scotia extends deadline again to find buyer for former wind plant

Premier Stephen McNeil, right, chats with Geoff MacLellan, government house leader, before he delivers the state-of-the-province speech at a business luncheon in Halifax on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press

A deadline to find a buyer for one of Atlantic Canada’s largest industrial sites is likely being extended again by the Nova Scotia government, the province’s business minister said Wednesday.

Geoff MacLellan said a deadline that was already pushed back twice would be extended again because two or three new parties have expressed an interest in the former DSME wind plant in Trenton over the last couple of weeks.

“Nothing has been solidified yet,” said MacLellan. “No initial bids for the upfront deposit that has to be made, so there is nothing definitive yet.”

READ MORE: Future of DSME Trenton’s massive Nova Scotia wind tower plant remains a mystery

The latest deadline was set for the end of this month, but MacLellan now says it will run out when the province’s operating budget for the site runs out.

Story continues below advertisement

In an email, the department said the estimated cash remaining with the site in receivership is $300,000.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

WATCH: DSME Trenton metal fabrication plant closing

Click to play video: 'DSME Trenton metal fabrication plant closing'
DSME Trenton metal fabrication plant closing

MacLellan released no other details, and isn’t saying at this point where the interest is coming from.

The previous NDP government took a 49 per cent equity stake in the plant in 2010, committing $59.4 million to a business that was eventually closed in February 2016 and placed in receivership.

“The fact that there is new interest gives us some hope,” MacLellan said.

READ MORE: Minister says there are still options for former Nova Scotia wind tower plant

He said the possibility the property could be turned over to Nova Scotia Lands for development is also “still on the table.”

Story continues below advertisement

The 430,000-square-foot facility sits on 116 acres of land in the heart of Trenton and in another incarnation was the TrentonWorks rail car plant.

Sponsored content

AdChoices