News & Events

Check this section for Yukon Energy's latest news and coming events.

If you have questions about any of the information posted here, please contact:


Communications and Community Relations
Phone: (867) 393-5398
Email: communications@yec.yk.ca

General
Nov 21, 2025  Comment

Celebrating the Career and Retirement of Ed Peake

After more than 25 years of service, Yukon Energy bids a fond farewell to Ed Peake, our Vice President of Operations, as he embarks on a well-earned retirement. Ed’s journey with Yukon Energy began in 1999, when he joined the company as a maintenance electrician. From his first day on the job, Ed demonstrated a deep commitment to his work and a hands-on approach to problem-solving. His drive and leadership quickly became apparent, leading him through a series of progressive roles — Manager of Electrical Operations, Manager of Operations, Director of Operations, and ultimately, Vice President of Operations. Throughout his career, Ed has played a pivotal role in shaping Yukon Energy into the company it is today. He contributed to several major projects that have strengthened the territory’s electrical system and enhanced reliability for Yukoners. These include the north and south Yukon grid connection, the transmission and distribution brushing program, and the construction of the LNG facility. Ed also oversaw the rental generator program, ensuring dependable backup power for Yukoners when it was needed most. Beyond his technical expertise, Ed is known for his work ethic, dedication and of course, love for dogs. He never missed a chance to share a story about a four-legged friend or sneak in a quick visit with an office dog between meetings. As Ed steps into retirement, we thank him for his years of service and for fostering a culture of excellence at Yukon Energy. His contributions have left a lasting mark on the company and on the people who’ve worked alongside him. We wish you all the best in this next chapter of life!
Nov 18, 2025  Comment

Recent Noise Concerns in Whitehorse - November 2025

Yukon Energy is aware that our diesel generators have been the focus of numerous social media posts and discussions in recent days, as Whitehorse residents look for answers about increased noise levels in the city. We fully appreciate why people are concerned. We know loud noises can affect the well-being of our neighbours, and we take these concerns very seriously.  Over the past five years, we have had multiple third-party engineering firms conduct studies on the sound levels generated by the diesel generators we own and rent. Those studies have shown that the generators installed in the 1970s and 1990s are loud— noticeably louder than the diesel generators we rent each winter. We also understand, from conversations with some of our closest neighbours in Riverdale over the years, that noise from the diesel generators can be a nuisance. We are actively working on ways to reduce it, which you can read about here.  Based on what we know today, it is unlikely that noise from the Whitehorse diesel generators is reaching residents in Valleyview or other neighbourhoods farther from the Whitehorse Rapids facility. Loud urban noises can come from many sources—highways, airports, snow removal equipment, and construction, among them.   Whitehorse is growing, and with that growth comes a greater need for reliable winter power sources—such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and diesel—to meet the power demands of Yukoners, support increasing use of electric heat, and keep pace with infrastructure development in the region.  This month, the Yukon started to experience colder weather, which means Yukoners are beginning to use more power. At the same time, we are facing another year of lower-than-average water levels in the Aishihik reservoir, which means there is less hydropower available. As a result, we are relying on our diesel and LNG generators more than typical to keep the lights and heat on for Yukoners. We’re looking into our noise monitoring systems to see if we can spot any changes or abnormal sound levels in recent weeks.  We will continue to keep the community informed as we analyze recent noise data and move forward with noise-mitigation measures. In the meantime, our team remains committed to strengthening the electricity system and advancing our five-year strategic plan, with projects like the Whitehorse Power Centres that will help us meet fast-growing demands for winter power with local resources and integrate more sources of community renewables in the future. 
Nov 03, 2025  Comment

Yukon Energy Vehicles and Trucks for Auction

Yukon Energy has posted several vehicles and work trucks for sale via online auction. Don’t miss your chance to bid! View listings and details here: https://www.GovDeals.com/YukonEnergyYT Everyone is welcome to participate. If you’re not already a registered bidder, simply visit GovDeals.ca, click Register, and complete the required information.
General, Media Releases, Environment
Oct 31, 2025  Comment

Ramping Event on October 29, 2025

On October 29, 2025, Yukon Energy crews removed the I-beams at the Whitehorse Rapids Generating Station. The I-beams hold the fish screens that help to keep fish away from the turbines at the dam. They need to be removed before each winter, so they are not damaged by ice build-up. To do this work safely, we needed to reduce downstream flows gradually by following our ramping protocol. As part of testing and monitoring the protocol, fish salvage crews were stationed along the river at sensitive sites downstream of the dam.   During the ramping event, approximately 400 fish were salvaged and nine fish died. We’ve reported the event to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Over the past year, Yukon Energy has been working with the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Carcross/Tagish First Nation and the Government of Yukon to test, monitor and adjust the ramping protocol. When we understand the cause(s) of yesterday’s ramping event, we’ll update the protocol to avoid fish stranding in the future.  While this is not the outcome we wanted, we are committed to applying these lessons learned to improve future maintenance activities and minimize impacts on fish. A third party is reviewing yesterday’s activities and will provide a report that outlines their findings. In the meantime, we will be meeting with the Nations to understand their feedback, share findings, and ultimately make improvements to the process. 
Oct 20, 2025  Comment

Update on the Whitehorse Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage System

Site work is nearly complete at the Whitehorse grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS), with all battery modules installed. The project is now in the commissioning phase, which includes: Addressing pre-certification deficiencies Achieving site certification Full site energization Final testing It takes time to integrate the batteries into the system, so we expect this work to continue over the winter. As such, Yukon Energy will not be relying on the BESS as dependable capacity this year. We will provide further updates as work progresses. Learn more about the project here.

Oct 15, 2025  Comment

Diesel and LNG Use this Fall

This winter, we’re once again facing lower-than-average water levels in the Aishihik reservoir, which limits how much hydro power we can generate. As of October 2025, the reservoir is about a metre lower than it usually is for this time of year. With less hydro available, we’ll need to rely more heavily on thermal sources like our diesel and LNG generators to ensure we keep the lights and heat on for Yukoners.  While we are not yet in the depths of winter, we will likely start to run our LNG generators in Whitehorse and diesel generators in Whitehorse, Faro, Dawson and potentially Mayo this week (the week of October 14) to conserve water in the Aishihik reservoir, for use this winter when we need it most. The generators are only expected to run during the day during the first week of operation. Despite these challenges, our team is working around the clock to manage our system carefully, meet our electricity needs and advance our five-year strategic plan. 
Oct 10, 2025  Comment

Update Regarding the Cement Wash Water Spill at the Mayo Hydro Facility

This is an update to a post released on October 8, 2025. Preliminary environmental observations and water sampling results following the spill at the Mayo Hydro Facility yesterday suggest a low level of ecological concern. There were no observed impacts to fish in the plunge pool, and pH readings in and downstream of the pool were neutral. A Yukon Energy contractor will be submitting additional water quality samples for analysis. The contractor working on the spillway has updated its work plan to ensure an incident of this nature does not happen again. Yukon Energy has completed a thorough review of this plan and has determined that work on the spillway can proceed.
Oct 08, 2025  Comment

Cement Wash Water Spill at Mayo Hydro Facility

An update on this incident has been provided. Read the update here.  Yukon Energy has been made aware of a spill involving cement wash water that happened on October 8th at the Mayo Hydro Facility. One of our contractors was performing maintenance on the Wareham Dam Spillway when the spill occurred. The contractor's first action was to contain the spill by halting the flow of water to prevent further spread. However, it appears that some wash water was transported to the plunge pool. The spill has been fully contained, and no further contamination is expected to occur. We are treating this matter very seriously. The contractor is fully aware of its responsibility to report the incident and is actively following all required protocols to address the environmental contamination. We remain in close and ongoing communication throughout the process.  All maintenance work on the spillway structure has been halted, except for essential activities needed to manage the spill and ensure site safety. In addition to the contractor's assessment, an independent environmental consultant has been dispatched to assess the situation, collect water samples, and conduct environmental observations on-site.  We are committed to working with the contractor to take all necessary actions to minimize environmental harm and ensure a thorough response.   We plan to provide further updates as we receive more information.  
Sep 26, 2025  Comment

Yukon Energy Customers: Canada Post Strike Update

As of September 25, Yukon Energy wants to inform customers that Canada Post workers are on strike. As a result, paper bills may be delayed during the strike. To avoid any disruptions, we encourage you to sign up for My Account to view your balance and pay your electricity bill online. We also have a list of easy bill payment options here.  If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact our customer service team at (867) 993-5565 or billing@yec.yk.ca. Important Information for Dawson City Customers: All mail to and from Yukon Energy is impacted by the ongoing Canada Post strike, even if the Dawson City Canada Post office maintains local deliveries.
Media Releases, Regulatory
Sep 19, 2025  Comment

Our Request for a Waiver to the City of Whitehorse’s Master Plan Requirement for the Whitehorse Power Centres Project

Yukon Energy would like to provide context regarding our recent request for a waiver of the City of Whitehorse’s Master Plan requirement for the Whitehorse Power Centres Project.  Our request was made to help streamline regulatory processes and avoid duplication of efforts. The Whitehorse Power Centres Project is currently undergoing an Executive Committee-level review by the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB). This process includes extensive public and stakeholder engagement, including with the City of Whitehorse, and thoroughly examines potential impacts and mitigation measures.  Given the scope and depth of the YESAB review, we believed there was an opportunity to coordinate regulatory efforts under a single process, making more efficient use of time and resources while still achieving the core objectives of the City’s Master Planning Process.  While the City did not approve our waiver request for the power centre sites, we acknowledge and appreciate that a waiver was granted for the proposed substation site along Long Lake Road. This will help save time and money as we advance critical work under tight timelines.   Yukon Energy respects the City of Whitehorse’s processes and values the intent and principles behind the Master Plan requirement — especially its focus on long-term community growth and meaningful public engagement. Access to reliable electricity is essential to all Yukoners, and having the first Whitehorse Power Centre operational before December 2027 is critical to meeting growing peak demand for winter power.  As we move forward, Yukon Energy will continue working closely with the City of Whitehorse, Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN), Ta’an Kwäch’än Council (TKC), and the Government of Yukon to advance this important infrastructure project. Yukon Energy is appreciative of the consideration offered by the City’s Development Review Committee on our Master Planning Process waiver request.   

News
Sep 04, 2025  Comment

Update on Lewes River Boat Lock Repairs

We want to provide an update on the status of the Lewes River Boat Lock repairs.  We know this project is important to many people who enjoy recreating in the area, and we appreciate your patience. At this time, the repairs have been pushed back due to other critical safety and infrastructure projects that must take priority. Our electricity system is currently under strain, and we are focused on work that supports reliability and ensures a robust power supply, especially during the winter months.   While the Lewes River Boat Lock project is delayed, we do have portage routes available to support recreational users in the meantime. We’re also exploring potential government funding to help advance capital projects like this one in the future.  Thank you for your understanding as we continue working to meet the Yukon’s electricity needs safely and reliably. 

Sep 03, 2025  Comment

Yukon Energy Budget Payment Plan Customer Update

Recommendation to Increase Your Payment Amount   As we head into the colder months, Yukon Energy is reviewing Budget Payment Plans to help ensure your account stays on track through to April — so you can avoid surprises and better manage your electricity bills.   We recommend increasing your plan by 10% to account for rate changes. This will help reflect expected electricity costs more accurately over the winter season.  How Does the Budget Payment Plan Work?  The Budget Payment Plan is designed to offer predictability by averaging your annual electricity consumption into a fixed monthly payment. This amount stays consistent throughout the year, regardless of seasonal fluctuations or estimated meter readings. At the end of each term in April, we reconcile the amount you've paid with your actual electricity use. If you have paid for more electricity than you have used, you will see a credit on your bill. Conversely, if you have used more electricity than you have been paid for, you will be asked to make an additional payment.  Please remember:  The exact agreed-upon amount must be paid each month — not more, not less.  Missed or altered payments will result in automatic removal from the plan.  It is your responsibility to monitor your account and request changes if needed.  If you have any questions or would like to review or adjust your Budget Payment Plan, please contact us at (867) 993-5565 or billing@yec.yk.ca before October 1, 2025.   Sincerely,    The Yukon Energy Team 
Sep 02, 2025  Comment

Noise Concerns at the Whitehorse Rapids Generating Station - September 2025 Update

Yukon Energy has a mix of owned diesel generators, liquefied natural gas (LNG) generators and rental diesel generators at the Whitehorse Rapids Generating Station (WRGS). Diesel and LNG play an important role in the Yukon, providing electricity when there is not enough hydro power available, during emergencies, and when other renewable sources of power are not available. Yukon Energy operates the thermal generators at the WRGS under an air emissions permit that was renewed in January 2025. It allows us to operate a maximum of 42 megawatts at the facility. A copy of the permit is available here. We recognize that Riverdale residents have concerns about the noise from the generators as well as their impact on air quality. Noise In compliance with our permit, Yukon Energy submitted to the Government of Yukon an environmental monitoring plan and a plan for noise mitigation at the facility. A recent noise assessment found that our owned diesel generators housed in the blue building (WD4 to 7) are the loudest. The plan states that in 2025, we are investigating noise mitigation options for these units and will rely on engineers and noise mitigation experts to recommend solutions and conduct any engineering design. Mitigation measures will be installed and operating before December 31, 2026.  What has YEC been working on this summer? This summer, we hired a consultant to review our sound monitoring results and take additional measurements from the units. This will then help us to determine which mitigation measure will be the most effective.   Air When Yukon Energy renewed its air emissions permit for the WRGS, we hired WSP Canada Inc. to conduct an air quality assessment. The assessment looked at two scenarios, both based on the plant running at full capacity during unlikely, worst-case weather conditions. It found the following: Levels of sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide are well below standard levels. Fine, coarse and suspended particulates are higher in the immediate area of the power plant but nowhere else. The baseline concentrations of nitrogen dioxide without the facility are already elevated, with the 1-hour baseline at 65% of the current Yukon Ambient Air Quality Standards and 93% of the 2025 Yukon Ambient Air Quality Standards. A Human Health Risk Assessment found no significant health risks. More details are available in Yukon Energy’s proposal on the YESAB online registry for Project Assessment Number 2024-0103. As part of the same environmental monitoring plan that has information about noise mitigation, we will move forward with an air quality monitoring program that will focus on NOx emissions. We plan to install and commission the station before the end of this year, subject to the availability of the proposed equipment/materials and a qualified contractor(s).
Safety
Aug 21, 2025  Comment

LNG Practice Drill

Yukon Energy staff, along with first responders, will be testing our emergency plan for our LNG site on Thursday, August 21. You may see firetrucks on-site and staff evacuating, but please note that this is just a drill, public safety is not at risk. The drill will allow us to practice our emergency plan and identify any areas for improvement.
Safety
Aug 13, 2025  Comment

Have the Best Dam Summer Ever – Stay Safe Around Hydro Facilities

Summers in the Yukon are all about the outdoors and adventure. Whether you're paddling, fishing, or boating, we know many of you love spending time on the water. But if you’re heading out near one of our hydro dams or control structures, there’s something we want you to keep in mind: hydro facilities are powerful—and they can be dangerous. Here’s how to stay safe and make the most of your time on the water: Why You Should Take Dam Safety Seriously Even when things look calm, the water near dams and control structures can change fast. Think: Strong, unpredictable currents Sudden changes in water levels Hidden hazards beneath the surface It only takes a few seconds for a fun afternoon to turn risky. That’s why we’ve put warning systems, signage, and barriers in place—and why we need you to follow them. Be smart and safe: Stay behind the yellow boat booms Obey all signs and safety barriers Never climb on structures or fish from them We’re not trying to ruin the fun—we just want everyone to get home safe. So before you head out for a paddle, a fishing trip, or a scenic float—take a moment to know the risks and stay alert around hydro facilities. Respect the signs, stay outside the booms, and use good judgment.  Planning a trip near one of our hydro dams? Click here to learn more about dam and facility safety.

More 

About Us

Energy in Yukon

Environment

Community

Customer Service

Health and Safety

Contact us

Français