Strengthening the System, Meeting Winter Demand, and a More Renewable Energy Future 

Did you know that over the last 25 years, more than 90% of the electricity Yukon Energy generates has come from renewable sources? That’s thanks to our territory’s strong foundation in hydroelectricity, which has powered Yukoners for decades. But as our population grows and our energy needs evolve, our electricity grid needs to grow and evolve too.  A System Built for 12,000—Now Serving Over 45,000  When the Yukon’s core electrical system was first built, our population hovered around 12,000 people.1 Fast forward to today, and more than 45,000 Yukoners call this territory home. By 2045, that number is expected to grow by another 20,000 people.2 That’s a massive change in just one lifetime—and it puts increasing pressure on our electrical infrastructure.  Our system was never designed to serve a population this size, and while we've made upgrades over the years, major improvements are now needed to maintain reliable service, connect more intermittent renewable energy, and prepare for a resilient energy future. That’s why we’ve developed our new Road Map to 2050 and five-year strategic plan.   Winter Power: A Yukon Challenge  While hydropower carries us through much of the year, winter brings unique challenges to the Yukon:  Water availability lowers as rivers freeze, and flows are reduced to follow icing protocols.  Solar generation also dips, with shorter days and lower sun angles.  Meanwhile, electricity demand peaks as homes and businesses use more power for heating and lighting.  These conditions mean we rely more on thermal generation, like diesel and LNG, which is dependable and easily dispatchable. That’s why improving our grid's resiliency and increasing capacity in winter is such a high priority—it ensures we can maintain safe, reliable power even in the coldest months.  Supporting Community Renewables  One of the opportunities ahead is the growing interest in community-based renewable energy. As more Yukoners express interest in renewable energy initiatives, our electricity grid needs to be reinforced to safely and efficiently handle two-way power flows—not just delivering electricity but also receiving it from local producers.  Our proposed grid improvements and thermal power centres are designed with this future in mind. Ensuring reliable backup and dependable winter capacity is essential before taking the next steps. By the second and third chapters of our Road Map to 2050, a modernized, resilient grid will help support more integration of intermittent renewable energy, emerging technologies, and energy storage solutions.  Building a Resilient, Renewable Energy Future  At Yukon Energy, we're proud that so much of our electricity already comes from renewable sources. But we know there’s more work to do. As our territory grows, we’re committed to investing in the infrastructure, technologies, and partnerships needed to keep the lights on— in both the short and long term.  We’re collaborating with First Nation partners who are looking to advance large-scale renewable energy projects in the future. We’re excited to be a part of these conversations, as the critical planning and pre-feasibility work is happening now.   As we look ahead, we know that the actions outlined in our Road Map to 2050 and five-year strategic plan will move us towards a more resilient energy future. They're not just about keeping up—they're about building a more reliable system that will serve future generations of Yukoners.  Sources 1. Based on the 1956 Census: https://yukon.ca/sites/default/files/ybs/fin-yukon-census-historical-population-1901-2016.pdf     2. https://yukon.ca/sites/default/files/ybs/fin-population-projections-2024-2045.pdf