The Yukon Utilities Board (YUB) has given its stamp of approval for Yukon Energy’s 20-year resource plan. The plan outlines new capacity planning criteria and addresses the territory’s major generation and transmission needs to 2025. It was given to the YUB last June for review. Public hearings took place in November and the Utilities Board submitted its recommendations to the Minister of Justice on Monday.
“The YUB’s report confirms that our resource plan selects the best project options at the least cost to Yukoners,” Yukon Energy president David Morrison said. “For the first time since 1992, we have a specific capital plan that has been fully reviewed and recommended by the Utilities Board. This is a major step forward for Yukon Energy and for the territory.
“This also fulfills Yukon Energy’s commitment made in 2005 to seek YUB review of all major capital projects costing $3 million or more, prior to the start of construction,” Morrison added. “I want to thank the board for its thorough and careful review of our plan.”
In its report, the Utilities Board recommends going ahead with three projects in the near term: the Carmacks-Stewart transmission line, a third hydro turbine for Aishihik, and the life extension of Yukon Energy’s Mirrlees diesel generators. The Board says it is imperative that new resources be added to the Whitehorse-Aishihik-Faro transmission system as soon as possible to address the need for winter capacity.
The YUB also suggests Yukon Energy look at building a second transmission line between Whitehorse and Aishihik as both a contingency and longer term option. The Board did not support developing more wind energy as a near term cost effective option.
In terms of the Carmacks-Stewart transmission line, the Utilities Board recommends that the first stage of the line proceed, subject to the YUB’s full review and approval of a Purchase Power Agreement with the Minto mine. Yukon Energy has promised to file the agreement with the Utilities Board by the end of this month.
The YUB’s full report can be found here.
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Contact:
Janet Patterson
Communications, Yukon Energy Corporation
(867) 393-5333
janet.patterson@yec.yk.ca
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