Yukon Energy has applied to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) for approval of a project that would provide additional clean and renewable power to Yukoners. The project, called Mayo B, would involve building a new powerhouse downstream from the existing Mayo plant. It would roughly double the amount of hydro electricity that can be generated from that facility (going from 5 MW to 10 MW).
The project would not require building a new dam or doing anything significant to the existing Wareham dam.
“The expansion of the Mayo hydro facility is one of several generation projects that we are considering,” Yukon Energy president David Morrison said. “As Yukon continues to grow, we need more energy to keep up with increasing demands for electricity. It is our goal to produce additional ‘green’ energy in order to avoid using large amounts of diesel, which would be expensive for Yukoners and harmful to the environment.”
Mayo B is in keeping with Yukon Energy’s practice of making the best use possible of its existing infrastructure. This project would be an enhancement to the corporation’s existing hydro facility in Mayo.
YESAB’s assessment of the project is only one step in moving forward with this initiative. Yukon Energy will also need to seek approval from the Yukon Water Board, and it has committed to taking any projects worth $3 million or more to the Yukon Utilities Board for review. As well, Yukon Energy is working with the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun on reaching a Memorandum of Understanding, followed by a Project Agreement.
“We believe we are close to finalizing an MOU with the First Nation,” Morrison said. “We are committed to continuing to work closely with the Nacho Nyak Dun, the Village of Mayo and other stakeholders, on this initiative.”
“I want to acknowledge that without the considerable support of the Yukon government, we would not be able to advance this project and make it a reality,” Morrison added. “The territorial government is seeking federal funds to help make Mayo B affordable and these efforts are greatly appreciated.”
Yukon Energy’s YESAB application can be found here.
Contact:
Janet Patterson
Communications, Yukon Energy Corporation
(867) 393-5333
janet.patterson@yec.yk.ca
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