The Long Journey Home

It’s been quite a journey, but the new seven megawatt generator for our Aishihik plant is now on site. The generator was manufactured in India, travelled to Vancouver by boat, and was trucked up the Alaska Highway on a large flatbed.

Once in Yukon, it had to cross two bridges on the Aishihik Road that are are not able to support the weight of a 34 tonne generator, so Yukon Energy had an overspan constructed (a steel bridge that fit over the existing bridges) to make the crossings possible. A large loader went ahead of the generator-laden semi-trailer as a precaution, in case it was needed to help pull the load and steer. In the end, the semi was able to handle the job all on its own.

Once on site, not one but two cranes were needed to unload the generator.

The journey still isn’t quite finished. While it is on our Aishihik property, the generator must be lowered by crane 110 meters into an underground tunnel where the equipment will be moved into place and installed. That will happen this summer and will be done by a subcontractor that specializes in moving large loads.

Most of the other components needed to operate the generator have been delivered, although we are still waiting for one more piece (the turbine runner), which should arrive from Austria later this spring.

We expect Aishihik 3 to be operating by the fall. The Aishihik third turbine project will allow us to use the water available at our plant more efficiently. It is expected to save Yukon Energy $1.2 million or more per year in diesel costs and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 3,800 tonnes annually.

Below are some photos of the generator crossing one of the Aishihik Road bridges, being unloaded at our Aishihik plant, and a shot of where the generator will be installed later this year.