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

Sep 03, 2026  Comment

Yukon Energy announces final two proposed sites for Whitehorse Power Centres Project

WHITEHORSE, Yukon – Yukon Energy has identified two final proposed sites for the Whitehorse Power Centres Project, a key initiative that is needed to meet winter demand for power, as well as support growth and the integration of more community renewables in the Yukon. The project will be assessed through the Yukon Environmental Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) for up to 150 MW, essentially doubling the size of the Yukon’s electricity system.   The selected sites are:  North: Ta’an Kwäch’än Council (TKC) Deep Creek  South: Copper Haul Road  Located on TKC Settlement Land, the Deep Creek site reflects years of collaboration between Yukon Energy and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council to identify a suitable location that balances reliable electricity with environmental, community and cultural considerations.  As the project advances, Yukon Energy will continue working with both the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and Kwanlin Dün First Nation. This includes ongoing collaboration on project planning and development, as well as exploring opportunities for investment, procurement, contracting and broader economic participation across the Whitehorse Power Centres Project.  The final proposed site selections were informed by extensive technical studies and community engagement with Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, the Yukon government, the City of Whitehorse, other stakeholders and the public Ta’an Kwäch’än Council also conducted its own engagement with Citizens before the final site selection.  Along with community feedback, project cost, technical feasibility, operational requirements and permitting considerations were key factors in selecting the final locations.  With the sites now confirmed, Yukon Energy will continue advancing project planning and engineering. This work includes refining site layouts and power centre design, as well as completing the environmental and technical studies required to support a regulatory review.  Yukon Energy will also be evaluating both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and diesel as potential fuel options for the project. The decision to include both fuel types in the upcoming project proposal to the YESAB reflects additional information and feedback received during the YESAB Pre-Submission Engagement process, such as concerns regarding emissions, noise and fuel security.  Planning is also continuing for the transmission lines needed to connect both sites to the Yukon grid. Where practical, new powerlines will follow existing transmission corridors or road rights-of-way to reduce environmental and community impacts. Yukon Energy will continue engaging directly with property owners along the proposed routes as this work progresses. A map of the transmission line routes is available here.  Yukon Energy plans to submit the full Whitehorse Power Centres project proposal to YESAB this fall. The submission will include additional information on project design, environmental mitigation measures and the assessment of both fuel options.  At the same time, Yukon Energy will continue working through City of Whitehorse planning processes related to the Copper Haul Road site.  Quotes  “Building the electricity system that Yukoners can rely on today and into the future takes strong partnerships. It requires utilities, First Nations and other governments, and businesses working together toward a common goal. We look forward to continuing our work with Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Government of Yukon as we advance the Whitehorse Power Centres Project and create meaningful opportunities that support a reliable and resilient energy future for all Yukoners."  Yukon Energy President and CEO Joe MacGillivray  "Ta’an Kwäch’än Council has carefully reviewed the proposed Deep Creek site through community engagement, our Elders Council and our General Assembly. Having reached community approval allows this site to be considered as a potential location. We are pleased to move forward with Yukon Energy into the next stages of environmental, technical and regulatory assessment.  As landowners in an urban community experiencing unprecedented growth, we recognize the importance of expanding reliable energy infrastructure to support our region’s future. At the same time, development must respect our lands, culture, and community priorities. We look forward to the discussions and negotiations ahead and to working with Yukon Energy to identify opportunities that create meaningful and lasting benefits for our Citizens and community.”   Ta’an Kwäch’än Council Chief Ruth Massie  Media Inquiries:  Yukon Energy  Keely Bass, Project Communications Lead  Keely.bass@yec.yk.ca  867-332-1854  Ta’an Kwäch’än Council  Janet Smellie, Communications Officer  communicationsoffice@taan.ca   (867) 668-3613 ext. 204  Cell: (867) 334-5298 

Aug 19, 2026  Comment

August 2026 Customer Billing Update

Yukon Energy and ATCO Electric Yukon continue to provide monthly public updates on the work underway to address customer billing concerns related to estimated bills, account calculations, payment processing and billing timing.  We understand these issues have caused frustration and uncertainty for many Yukoners. We remain committed to providing accurate, timely and easy-to-understand bills while addressing individual customer concerns and the underlying system issues that have contributed to billing problems.  Meter Reading and Billing Accuracy  We continue to collect meter readings from homes and businesses across Yukon to ensure bills accurately reflect electricity usage.  When an actual meter read cannot be collected — for example, when a meter is blocked or inaccessible — we contact the customer directly by door hanger, email or phone to let them know.  Our Customer Service Representatives also continue to manually review every bill for accuracy before it is issued. Less than 3% of bills have required corrective action, and 99% of bills have been issued on time. When specific issues are identified, such as billing adjustments, refunds, or payment arrangement needs, affected customers are contacted directly by our Customer Service Representatives and supported through the resolution process.  Addressing System Issues and Root Causes  Yukon Energy continues to work closely with ATCO Electric Yukon and our billing system provider to investigate known system issues, address their root causes and implement both interim corrective measures and longer-term solutions.  This work is making progress on several issues that directly affect customers, including:  Improving estimated bills: We are reviewing the logic used to calculate estimated bills when an actual meter read cannot be obtained. The goal is to ensure estimates better reflect seasonal changes in electricity use. This should result in more accurate estimates, smaller adjustments when the next actual meter read is collected, and less potential for unexpected high bills.  Increasing the use of actual meter reads: We are reviewing and adjusting system thresholds to allow more actual meter readings to be accepted and used for billing when it is significantly higher or lower than previous months. Our review has found that the current thresholds do not adequately account for the large seasonal changes in electricity use that can occur in the Yukon. Adjusting them should allow more bills to be based on actual meter reads rather than estimates.  Streamlining account review and controls: We are working to streamline the number and type of system flags generated each day that require review before bills can be issued. This will allow our team to focus more time on genuine billing anomalies and help bills reach customers more quickly.  Additional work is underway to review billing processes, system parameters, billing timelines and how information is displayed on customer bills — all with the goal of improving reliability, accuracy and clarity.  Leadership Oversight Driving Progress   Senior leaders from ATCO Electric Yukon, Yukon Energy, and ATCO meet every two weeks to review progress on billing improvements, remove barriers, and ensure the work remains a top priority. These regular meetings help maintain accountability, monitor customer impacts, and confirm the teams have the resources and support needed to implement both immediate fixes and long-term solutions  Responding to Customer Inquiries  Yukon Energy is adding a new Customer Service Representative to our team this month. This additional resource will help reduce wait times during periods of higher demand, provide more timely support to customers with billing questions, and give the broader team additional capacity to resolve billing issues and advance system improvements.  We recently visited Faro to meet directly with customers in the community, review bills and answer questions. Community visits like this are an important part of our efforts to better understand customers' experiences and provide hands-on support.  Non-Billing Service Fees  In January, the Yukon Utilities Board approved updated Terms and Conditions of Service, utility contributions for new customer connections, and fees for non-billing services such as connection and disconnection requests.  While new utility contribution levels approved by the Yukon Utilities Board are in effect, implementation of updated non-billing service fees remains on hold as we continue to focus on billing improvements. Customers will continue to be charged the lower fee levels established in 2011 for services such as connections, disconnections, and after-hours call-outs until further notice.  Support for Customers  If you have questions about your account or bill, please contact our Customer Service team at billing@yec.yk.ca or (867) 993-5565.  Every inquiry is reviewed individually, and we remain committed to working directly with customers to understand and resolve their concerns.  We will continue to provide regular updates as we address billing system issues, improve billing processes and work toward a more accurate, timely and reliable billing experience for customers.   You can read our July update here. 

News
Aug 03, 2026  Comment

Yukon Energy takes the next step toward long-term relicensing of Aishihik Hydro Facility

Yukon Energy has submitted a project proposal to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB), marking the start of the environmental and socio-economic assessment process for the long-term relicensing of the Aishihik Hydro Facility.  The Aishihik Hydro Facility is one of Yukon's most important hydroelectric generating facilities and a critical source of renewable electricity during the winter months. It is the territory's only hydro facility with multi-year water storage capacity, providing reliable, flexible generation that helps meet the Yukon's electricity needs year-round.  The submission builds on the Äshèyi Agreements signed in 2022 by Yukon Energy, the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN), and the Government of Yukon. The agreements established a collaborative framework and renewed relationship for working together on the future of the facility, including participation in assessment and licensing processes, territorial energy planning and production, and the monitoring and stewardship of Äshèyi.  This submission represents an important milestone in that shared commitment. Over the past several years, Yukon Energy, CAFN and the Government of Yukon have worked together to prepare for the assessment and relicensing process. The goal is to secure long-term authorization for the facility while supporting reliable, renewable electricity for Yukoners, advancing reconciliation, and respecting CAFN's cultural practices and enduring connection to Äshèyi.  Additional information about the project will be available through the YESAB Online Registry as the assessment process progresses. 

News, Power Outage Updates
Jul 22, 2026  Comment

July 20th Power Outage Update

On July 20, 2026, a power outage affected grid-connected communities across the Yukon, including Dawson City, Mayo, Teslin, Whitehorse, and other areas. The outage began at approximately 11:40 am, and power was restored to all customers by 1:00 pm. This outage affected both Yukon Energy and ATCO Electric Yukon customers.   Based on our initial assessment, the outage was caused during maintenance work on a hydro turbine at the Aishihik Hydro Facility. During a mechanical adjustment, the unit tripped offline. This caused an imbalance on the electricity system and triggered other sources of power generation to disconnect from the grid, resulting in a widespread power outage.  Yukon Energy worked quickly to restore power with support from ATCO Electric Yukon. We appreciate the patience of our customers and recognize the hard work and dedication of the crews who responded to restore service safely and efficiently. The Aishihik hydro turbine was not damaged during this event.  The Yukon has an isolated power system, and while we work continuously to maintain reliable service, outages do happen. During Monday's event, diesel generation in Faro and Whitehorse was used to support system restoration.  Having reliable, dispatchable thermal resources, like diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG) generation, is an important part of maintaining system reliability in Yukon. These resources can be brought online quickly when needed to support the grid, restore power, and supplement hydro power during periods of high demand.  This event serves as a reminder that power outages can happen even when they are least expected. Having a 72-hour emergency kit and an emergency plan in place can help you and your family stay safe during power outages and other unexpected events.  We appreciate Yukoners' understanding.  

Jul 15, 2026  Comment

July 2026 Customer Billing Update

Yukon Energy and ATCO Electric Yukon continue to provide regular public updates on the work underway to address customer billing concerns. These issues have caused frustration and uncertainty for many Yukoners, and we remain committed to improving the reliability, timeliness, and clarity of customer billing. Our June 2026 update is available here.   Billing Accuracy and Meter Reading  Yukon Energy has proactively implemented manual bill reviews to ensure each bill is verified for accuracy before being sent to customers. Today, fewer than one percent of customer bills are still waiting to be processed, marking significant progress toward getting billing back on track.  Since February, customers have been receiving bills based on in-person or ‘actual’ meter readings rather than estimates. Last winter, a higher-than-normal number of estimated bills were issued due to weather, system issues, and operational challenges. As actual meter readings continue to be collected, some customers may still see adjustments as their accounts are reconciled.  We continue to address a system issue that, in some cases, caused actual meter readings collected in the field to be incorrectly replaced with estimated readings. Despite this, our billing services remain stable, with approximately 97 percent of customer accounts billing as expected. The remaining three percent of accounts are being reviewed or followed up by our team.  Yukon Energy and ATCO Electric Yukon Customers by Community  The majority of Yukon Energy’s customers are located in Dawson City, Mayo, Faro, and other smaller communities across the territory. Residents of Whitehorse are ATCO Electric Yukon customers. Refer to the map below to see which utility provides service to each community.    Addressing the Root Causes  Yukon Energy continues to work closely with ATCO Electric Yukon and our billing system provider to identify the root causes of the billing issues and implement long-term solutions. We are also improving the system's estimation tool so it can more accurately reflect seasonal variations, including increased electricity use during the winter heating season.  In addition to these system enhancements, we are working with ATCO Electric Yukon to strengthen incident management and reporting, enhance internal governance practices, and improve process documentation to support more effective response and oversight.  Advocating for Customers  Yukon Energy continues to advocate to ATCO on behalf of customers throughout this process. We are working closely with ATCO to ensure billing concerns are addressed as quickly as possible, system improvements remain a priority, and customers receive clear communication and timely resolution when issues arise. A recent meeting of executives from Yukon Energy, ATCO Electric Yukon and ATCO was held in Whitehorse to discuss these important matters.   We know rebuilding trust takes more than words. It requires consistent action, transparency and accountability, and we remain committed to keeping all Yukoners informed as this work continues.  Support for Customers  If you have questions about your account or bill, we encourage you to contact our customer service team at billing@yec.yk.ca or (867) 993-5565. Every inquiry is reviewed individually, and we remain committed to working directly with customers to resolve concerns.  We appreciate the patience and understanding Yukoners have shown while this work continues.  

Jun 30, 2026  Comment

Yukon Energy Receives Emergency Amendment to Mayo Water Use Licence - Wareham Spillway Construction to Move Forward

Yukon Energy has received an emergency amendment to its water use licence for the Mayo Hydro Facility, authorizing the in-water construction required this year to advance the Wareham Dam Spillway Project.  The emergency amendment was necessary to allow critical in-water construction activities to proceed during the limited summer construction window. Given the urgency of replacing the aging spillway, completing this work this season is essential to maintaining the project schedule and reducing risks to public safety, infrastructure and the environment.  Yukon Energy is reviewing the conditions of the emergency water use licence amendment and will continue to work closely with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun, Village of Mayo and other partners throughout construction. Yukon Energy, along with its contractor, Kiewit, will also keep the community informed as the work progresses.  The Mayo Hydro Facility is a key part of Yukon's renewable electricity system. The Wareham Dam Spillway Project is a critical infrastructure project that will replace the existing spillway, which has reached the end of its service life. Replacing the spillway is essential to maintaining public safety and ensuring the continued, reliable generation of renewable hydroelectric power in Mayo.   More information about the project is available at yukonenergy.ca/mayo-spillway

Jun 11, 2026  Comment

Taking Action on Billing Concerns: An Update for Yukoners

Whitehorse, Yukon — ATCO Electric Yukon and Yukon Energy recognize that customers have concerns about their electricity bills, particularly at a time when many Yukoners are experiencing affordability pressures. “We want customers to know that we take accountability for these billing issues, and we are focused on immediate and sustained action to improve our billing systems and service. These challenges fall short of the level of service we expect to provide, and that Yukoners deserve, and work is already underway to address them,” said Jay Massie, Vice President of Northern Development and Indigenous Relations, ATCO Electric.    “We also want to confirm that the issues we are working through relate to the billing system, not customers’ meters. The meter at a customer's home or business remains the source of truth for understanding a customer's energy use,” said Stephanie Cunha, Vice President of Partnerships and Business Services, Yukon Energy. Billing Update We know that some customers are experiencing billing issues, and we sincerely apologize for the frustration, inconvenience, and uncertainty this has caused. Customers rightly expect their bills and account information to be accurate, timely, and easy to understand. We acknowledge that we are not meeting that standard for some customers, and we take that responsibility seriously. In 2023, ATCO Electric Yukon and Yukon Energy transitioned to a new utility billing system after our previous system reached the end of its service life. Since that transition, some system-related issues have affected customers. These challenges have included variability in estimates, account calculations, payment processing, and billing timing. As issues have been identified, we have worked to notify affected customers, review accounts one-on-one with customers, and make any necessary corrections. We recognize, however, that some customers have experienced multiple billing issues and that resolving these issues has taken longer than expected. We also recognize that some customers experienced a higher number of estimated bills over the winter months, and we are taking steps to increase the number of actual meter readings collected moving forward. Over the past several months, the Yukon government has also shared concerns from Yukoners about electricity bills and monthly estimations, including in a letter from the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources in April. Actions We Are Taking This week, we committed to the Yukon government that we will address these billing issues with heightened urgency and transparency. This commitment reinforces the work already underway and our focus to resolve these challenges. We have been working closely with our billing system partner to identify, prioritize, and resolve outstanding issues, and while progress has been made, we recognize that further work is needed and remain fully committed to seeing this through. In addition to this, we have also taken the following steps: Enhanced account review and verification processes, including additional daily manual reviews of customer accounts and billing transactions. Increased follow-up on accounts with estimated meter readings, including dispatching staff to obtain additional actual meter readings where required and providing customers with options to submit meter photos for verification. Added meter readers and contractors in specific areas of the Yukon to increase the number of actual meter readings collected in the field. Added customer service resources to help reduce wait times and respond to inquiries more quickly. Continued the rollout of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) in ATCO Electric Yukon communities, which enables more frequent meter readings, improves billing accuracy, and provides customers with better visibility into their energy use. Yukon Energy is using lessons learned from this deployment to support AMI implementation in Yukon Energy-served communities beginning next year. Regulatory Oversight The Yukon Utilities Board – the regulatory body that approves our rates and holds us accountable for the service we provide our customers – is aware of these billing issues. We will continue to keep the Board aware of the work we are doing as we resolve these issues and strengthen our systems and processes. Supporting Customers We understand that trust is earned through reliable service, clear communication, and accountability. We are committed to resolving these issues, improving our billing processes, and ensuring customers receive the level of service they expect and deserve. We will provide monthly public updates on the status of identified issues, the progress being made to resolve them, and any impacts customers may experience. We are addressing all inquiries in the order they are received and working diligently to assist every customer as quickly as possible. Customers who have questions or concerns about their account are encouraged to contact: ATCO Electric Yukon (867) 633-7000 or atcoelectricyukonbilling@atco.com Yukon Energy (867) 993-5565; billing@yec.yk.ca We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we work through these challenges. Please know that our teams are working hard behind the scenes to improve service and deliver a better experience for all Yukoners. For more information, please visit these webpages: www.atcoelectricyukon.com/billingupdate https://yukonenergy.ca/customer-service/accounts-billing/customer-billing-concerns/

Regulatory
May 13, 2026  Comment

Whitehorse Diesel Noise Mitigation Update

We’ve heard recent concerns from Whitehorse residents about noise from our diesel generators and want to share an update on the noise mitigation solution we are working to implement.  In Yukon, thermal resources such as diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG) continue to play an important role in meeting winter peak demand and ensuring reliable power year-round.  To better understand and address noise at the Whitehorse Rapids Diesel Facility, we have engaged engineering firms over recent years to monitor sound levels, identify operational noise sources, and evaluate mitigation options. Based on this work, we submitted an environmental monitoring and noise mitigation plan to Environment Yukon in 2025 and are now advancing an engineered solution to reduce facility noise.  The proposed solution involves replacing the exhaust silencers on the facility’s four older diesel units with newer, more effective models. This proposal is currently under review by Environment Yukon.  In the meantime, we have issued a request for proposals (RFP) to move the project forward. Because the solution requires custom design and fabrication rather than an off-the-shelf product, a more detailed timeline will be available once procurement is complete. Our goal is to have the solution installed and operational before December 31, 2026, in accordance with our air emissions permit.  We appreciate the ongoing dialogue with the community and will continue to keep the public informed. We also plan to host a meeting with Riverdale residents in the coming months to provide an opportunity for questions and discussion about this work.  At the Faro Diesel Facility, we are developing a new noise modelling report and updating the existing noise management plan, as required under our air emissions permit. 

Apr 21, 2026  Comment

Yukon Energy to Advance Urgent Spillway Replacement at Wareham Dam

Mayo, Yukon — Yukon Energy is advancing the critical replacement of the Wareham Dam spillway and has applied for an emergency amendment to its water use licence for the Mayo Hydro Facility. The amendment would allow Yukon Energy to proceed with necessary 2026 construction activities this June.   Yukon Energy will replace the existing spillway with a new open-channel spillway, a design that was selected following an extensive technical engineering and design review process that took approximately two years to complete.  This option offers greater cost certainty, can be constructed more quickly, and—unlike other designs considered—can convey water through the channel as an emergency measure after the first year of construction. These advantages help reduce the risk of the existing spillway failing during a potential high-water event in spring 2027 or 2028, which could otherwise lead to downstream flooding in the Village of Mayo. Recent engineering assessments have confirmed that the spillway has reached the end of its service life and requires replacement. A March 2026 review determined that leaving the spillway in its current condition presents unacceptable risks. These findings build on earlier assessments from 2023 to 2025, which identified accelerating deterioration and highlighted the potential for significant impacts to public safety, the environment, and the local economy. Yukon Energy has submitted its project proposal to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) for the three years of anticipated construction activities and will continue to work closely with the Government of Yukon, First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun and the Village of Mayo as the project continues. The organizations are also working together on emergency planning and to share information with the community. The Mayo Hydro Facility is a key part of the Yukon’s renewable electricity supply and energy security. This project will support its continued operation and ability to provide reliable power to Yukoners for decades to come. Quote “Public safety is our top priority. Advancing this project now will help ensure we can safely manage water during high-flow periods to protect the community, while maintaining this   source of reliable, renewable electricity for Yukoners.” - Joe MacGillivray, President and CEO of Yukon Energy Media Contact Lisa Wiklund, Manager of Community Relations lisa.wiklund@yec.yk.ca