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:

Lisa Wiklund
Manager, Communications
Yukon Energy Corporation
Phone: (867) 393-5398
Email: Lisa.Wiklund@yec.yk.ca

General, Reliability
Jan 17, 2024  Comment

Understanding the role of our battery

Short-term energy storage, like what our grid-scale battery will soon be able to provide, is one of several system-wide investments that are needed to provide reliable, affordable and renewable electricity in the Yukon. Once complete, our battery will provide short-term storage for the extra electricity available each day when demand for electricity is low, for use later that day to help meet peak demands for power. The battery will store hours worth of electricity, not days or months like what’s possible with seasonal storage options. We anticipate the battery will be constructed by the end of this year. Maintaining the reliability of Yukon’s isolated electricity system also requires: Maintaining and upgrading the system we have. This includes the work we’re doing to renew the licences and permits for our existing hydro, LNG and diesel units, upgrading the transmission system and increasing the capacity of the distribution system in Dawson City. Reducing winter demand for electricity through programs like Peak Smart. Learn more and sign up here. Building new sources of electricity that offers dependable energy in the winter. We refer to this as capacity because it is energy we can call on upon in an instant when we need it. Right now, we rent diesels each winter to meet peak electricity demand but know that we need to expand renewable options in the short and long term. Learn more about our electricity planning here.

Jan 10, 2024  Comment

Chris Milner selected as Yukon Energy President and CEO

After an extensive national search, Yukon Energy’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce Chris Milner as Yukon Energy’s President and Chief Executive Officer. In his last three years at Yukon Energy as Vice President of Government Relations and then interim President and CEO, Mr. Milner has played a critical role in developing partnerships, leading teams, and advancing the Corporation’s vision of being a Canadian leader in sustainable electricity. As President and CEO, Mr. Milner will continue to lead Yukon Energy’s priorities of: Maintaining the Yukon’s existing supply of reliable and renewable electricity by upgrading and permitting existing infrastructure; Increasing the supply of dependable winter electricity resources while implementing initiatives to decrease and smooth out peak winter energy demands; Planning for the future and growing electricity demand through the development of a short-term Electricity Supply Plan and long-term Integrated Resource Plan; Forming strong relationships with First Nation governments across the Yukon; and Providing opportunities for staff to learn and grow while keeping them safe on the job. Mr. Milner’s collaborative approach to his work will be key in helping Yukon Energy to achieve these priorities and delivering on its mission of providing Yukoners with reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity. Quotes “Chris’s commitment to creating opportunities for First Nations governments and businesses in the energy sector has been foundational to Yukon Energy’s work. As we enter this new phase of energy resource planning and development of new energy resources, we need a leader who can bring all the parties together to create a clean energy future. Chris is that leader.” - Lesley Cabott, Chair of Yukon Energy’s Board of Directors “Chris brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Yukon Energy, which has already proven valuable in his time with the corporation over the last few years. His ability to create advocates within government has and will continue to play an important role in building a sustainable legacy for the Yukon.” - Mike Pemberton, Chair of Yukon Development Corporation “It is an exciting time to be working with Yukon Energy. We are focused on maintaining the industry leading 90% or better renewable energy generation systems that we have in place today. We have a strong foundation for the future as the Yukon Energy team works with our partners to meet rapidly increasing demand for electricity to achieve climate goals through the electrification of home heating, commercial activities, and transportation. This is a massive opportunity for the Yukon to come together on solutions that will meet our winter energy needs today and plan for tomorrow's clean energy needs. Canada, Yukon and First Nation governments have a pivotal role to play in our evolving energy landscape and I look forward to strengthening our relationships as we build the Yukon’s energy future together.” - Chris Milner, Yukon Energy President and CEO -30- Media Contact: Lisa Wiklund Manager, Communications  Yukon Energy 867-393-5398 lisa.wiklund@yec.yk.ca

Dec 15, 2023  Comment

The impact of solar on the Yukon grid

There’s been a lot of discussion and news lately about the role solar plays in the Yukon’s electricity system. As the primary generator of electricity in the territory, we wanted to provide some information about the impacts of solar on the Yukon grid. The microgeneration program managed by the Government of Yukon has been extremely successful, with targets set for 2030 met in 2023. The current program is oversubscribed with hundreds of potential solar projects approved to move forward next year. Achieving these targets so rapidly has made achieving our reliability and affordability goals more challenging. What is the current state of our electricity system? Our existing hydro resources combined with renewable energy projects put us in an admirable position, where more than 90% of the electricity we generate each year is renewable. But we know that as we grow, we need to increase our supply of renewable electricity to maintain this position. To do this requires more renewable winter electricity. As a utility, providing Yukoners with safe and reliable electricity is always our top priority. To understand the current state of our operations, there’s two main things that are important to keep in mind. First, there is a surplus of renewable electricity in the Yukon in the summer. This is because that is when electricity demand is lowest, and our supply of hydroelectricity is highest. For context, Yukoners use between 30 and 50 megawatts of electricity on an average summer day. On those days, we can generate about 55 to 88 megawatts of hydroelectricity depending on the number of hydro units available. We perform most of our maintenance on our hydro units in the summer, which is why the number of units available can vary. Second, as we all know, solar power generation is highest during the spring and summer. It provides very little winter energy. The Yukon needs to be laser-focused on investing in projects that increase the supply of winter energy and capacity and decrease peak demands for power in the winter. That’s because Yukoners use about three times more electricity in the winter than they do in the summer. As an isolated grid, which means we are not connected to the larger North American grid, we cannot buy winter electricity or sell surplus summer electricity to other places. So, how does more solar power impact the Yukon grid? Too much solar power on the electricity system affects our ability to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to Yukoners. Impacts to reliability If there’s too much solar power on the electricity system, it puts our job of delivering reliable electricity at risk. Our ability to deliver reliable electricity depends on keeping the electricity system in a constant state of balance, where the amount of electricity being generated is always equal to the amount of electricity Yukoners need. Too much solar power in a particular place can cause fluctuations in the supply and demand of energy, resulting in grid instability. This instability reduces reliability and can cause power outages.  This past summer, as more solar power has been added to the grid, our control room has seen more instability on the system. Other isolated grids tend to cap generation from intermittent renewables to about 10-20% of their system load as a way to ensure system reliability. Next year, we expect intermittent energy sources to account for 30-50% of the amount of electricity Yukoners need on a summer day. While we have been able to manage the level of solar on our system so far, increasing the amount of solar energy is a concern for safety and reliability. That is why we recommended that the microgeneration program be put on hold. Impacts to affordability By its nature, solar power is a variable source of energy. The amount of solar power available quickly drops when a storm rolls in, or the sun goes behind a cloud. To account for this and to keep the grid in a constant state of balance, we keep an adequate supply of spinning reserve, or “instantaneous backup power” available. To do this, available hydro units are operated below their capacity and efficiency zone, or thermal assets are run, to supply electricity quickly when the amount of solar power being generated suddenly drops. This causes us to waste hydropower, use fossil fuels, contemplate shutting off renewable electricity generated by independent power producers, and pay for energy we can’t use. Ultimately, it costs us money to manage solar on the grid, and these costs are passed on to ratepayers. Can solar be safely integrated into the grid? Adding more sources of solar will require a system approach. This system can include firm backup capacity, system upgrades, and seasonal storage. While batteries would help smooth out the variability of solar generation in the short-term, we need seasonal storage to store the solar electricity generated in the summer for use in the winter. Our battery project that is currently underway will help smooth out the fluctuations we’re seeing now with the solar that’s already installed on the grid. However, investments in seasonal storage are key to maximizing the use of solar power. Updates to our resource plan will provide us with the opportunity to identify and advance seasonal storage projects. However, there aren’t any seasonal storage projects that have the financial or social licence certainty to proceed at this time. Batteries on their own cannot be the only solution to adding more solar to the grid. As mentioned above, we have a surplus of summer electricity and need to focus on sources of electricity in the winter. What’s next? The targets of the Government of Yukon’s microgeneration program have been met. Now, we need time to assess. The first step is a grid stability study with ATCO Electric Yukon, Yukon Development Corporation, and the Government of Yukon’s Energy, Mines & Resources. This study will help us confirm the sources of instability we’re seeing and help us to assess and understand what grid investments are needed. We are also interested in modernization of the grid. An example of grid modernization could be the installation of smart meters, so that we can have greater visibility of the system. Greater visibility will allow us to problem solve more effectively. Finally, we are embarking on a two-step approach to our next phase of energy planning. Step one will involve developing an electricity supply plan, which is scheduled for release in spring 2024. This plan will determine the Yukon’s electricity needs in the next 10 years and determine the resources we need to meet winter peaks that can be built in a short timeframe. Step two will involve updating our integrated resource plan, which is scheduled for release by the end of 2025. This plan will address broad questions about what new electricity supply resources should be advanced to meet customers' needs in the next twenty years, and where, when, and how much of those resources are needed. Both steps will consider different resource options that are best suited for the Yukon. You can learn more about our energy planning here. What we do know now is that significant investments in Yukon’s electricity system are needed to support the integration of more intermittent renewables. We are advancing grid improvements to support this increase and are planning to implement a large capital program over the coming years to meet these demands. We also know that we need to focus on winter energy. We are advocating for all levels of government to shift their focus to supporting winter energy demand. Ultimately, the Yukon’s energy needs don’t fit with what solar power can provide. While having some solar power on the grid is manageable, exceeding what our current grid can safely integrate is not responsible from a reliability, affordability or safety perspective.

General, News, Community Involvement
Nov 01, 2023  Comment

Yukon Energy launches its latest demand-side management program, Peak Smart Home

Yukon Energy has launched its latest demand-side management program, Peak Smart Home. Born out of a two-year residential pilot program delivered by Yukon Energy, ATCO Electric Yukon, Yukon Development Corporation, and Natural Resources Canada, Peak Smart Home will help shift electricity usage away from periods of peak demand. In doing so, the program will help to reduce the use of diesel in the winter. Funded in part by the Government of Yukon, Peak Smart Home offers Yukoners free thermostats and/or hot water tank controllers. Once installed, Yukon Energy will make subtle changes to the temperature of Yukoners homes or hot water tanks during periods of peak electricity demand. This means pre-heating homes before a spike in electricity use is expected, and then reducing the temperature by a few degrees during hours of peak electricity demand. Yukoners will always have control of the devices installed through the Peak Smart Home program and can choose to override or change the settings of their devices at any time. This program is only available to Yukoners who live in communities connected to the Yukon’s main electricity grid. For additional eligibility criteria, more information and to sign up, Yukoners can visit this page. Quotes “As an isolated grid, we only have ourselves to rely on to generate the electricity we need to meet winter peaks. One way we can each contribute to reducing these winter peaks is through programs like Peak Smart. The interest in our pilot program showed that Yukoners are keen to be a part of solutions to help reduce the use of diesel. Peak Smart Home is a great opportunity for Yukoners to play a role in their energy future and to contribute to a more sustainable Yukon.” - Michael Muller, Vice President of Planning, Environment, Health and Safety -30- Media Contact: Lisa Wiklund Manager, Communications  Yukon Energy 867-393-5398 lisa.wiklund@yec.yk.ca

General, News, Environment, Safety
Oct 23, 2023  Comment

Expect to see changes in water levels on Marsh Lake, Schwatka Lake and downstream of our Whitehorse facility in the coming days

As temperatures start to drop, we’re working hard to complete maintenance on our Whitehorse Rapids Generation Station before water starts to freeze. In the next week, we need to remove the structure that prevents fish swimming upstream from entering our Whitehorse #4 hydro unit. This piece of equipment is put in place every spring and removed in the fall. Taking it out before water starts to freeze is critical to preventing the build-up of ice on the structure and major damage to the hydro unit itself. To do this work safely, we need to reduce the flow of water passing through our hydro units to remove pressure on the structure.  Given how wet it was in September, water levels in the Southern Lakes are higher than typical for this time of year and water is flowing fast. This work will be done within the terms of our water licence and with safety and the environment top of mind. We’ve already started to draw more water out of Marsh Lake by opening the gates at the Lewes River Control Structure and lowering Schwatka Lake. Next, when Marsh Lake levels have dropped low enough, we’ll gradually reduce the flow of water downstream of the dam to complete the maintenance. Once the work is done, we’ll gradually increase flows again to the levels needed to maximize the amount of renewable electricity we can generate this winter. All this to say, there will be some noticeable water level changes to Marsh Lake, Schwatka Lake and the Yukon River downstream of our Whitehorse facility over the next week. Know that this is critical planned work and that safety and the environment are being kept top of mind.

General, Energy Supply, Reliability
Sep 22, 2023  Comment

Why has Yukon Energy been using thermal recently?

Some people who follow our energy consumption chart have been wondering recently, “why have you been using so much thermal these past few months?” There are a few reasons for this. However, before we get into them, let’s celebrate that on average, over 90% of the electricity we generate comes from renewable sources. This makes the Yukon one of the top jurisdictions in renewable electricity generation in Canada. We use thermal (LNG and diesel) to ensure we have the electricity we need when there aren’t enough renewable resources available, during emergencies and during winter peaks. In July, we had to run our diesel generators in Dawson City so that we could safely complete upgrades at our Callison substation. This meant disconnecting Dawson from the main grid and supplying electricity to Dawson residents via our diesel generators in downtown Dawson city. Having local diesel generators allows us to complete these critical projects, while still ensuring residents have the electricity they need. In August and September, we have had to use thermal for two main reasons: 1. We have had an abnormally dry August and September As seen in the Canadian Drought Outlook, conditions across the Yukon have ranged from abnormally dry to moderate drought. As a result of these dry conditions, our reservoir at Aishihik has not filled as quickly as it normally does. The Aishihik hydro plant plays an important role in the winter, providing approximately 40% of the electricity Yukoners need when demand for electricity is highest. It is also our primary hydroelectric facility that stores energy for use in the winter. For this reason, we have been using LNG to conserve water now, to ensure we have enough water for use in the winter.  2. Our Mayo A hydro plant is offline In June of this year, there was a small rockslide behind the Mayo A hydro plant. While there was no risk to public safety, out of an abundance of caution for worker safety, we made the decision to shut the Mayo A plant down. This means that electricity that would have been generated by the Mayo A plant in August and September is now being generated using LNG. We are currently working on removing the excess rock on the top layer of the slope to minimize the risk of future rockslides, and to get the Mayo A plant up and running this winter.

Aug 31, 2023  Comment

Yukon Energy applies for rate increase to support necessary investments in the Yukon’s electricity system

Yukon Energy Corporation has filed its 2023-2024 General Rate Application (GRA) with the Yukon Utilities Board (YUB). If approved, average residential and commercial bills will increase by 3% in October 2023 and another 3% in August 2024. The increases are needed so that Yukon Energy can make the investments required to reinforce the backbone of the Yukon’s existing electricity system. At the same time, the increases will also allow the Corporation to advance projects that will secure the supply of sustainable and reliable electricity in the territory, and programs that will help Yukoners take an active role in shifting peak demand for power. To make these investments, the Corporation is asking the YUB for a 14.1% rate increase to be applied over three different times in 2023 and 2024—October 1, January 1 and August 1. Rate increases and bill increases are not the same thing. By spreading the rate increase out over several months and timing each increase when other charges on electricity bills are expected to be reduced or removed, Yukon Energy is limiting the impact of the proposed rate increase on Yukoners’ monthly bills. With this approach, the Corporation is also preventing a bill increase from occurring on residential bills throughout the winter. Why does Yukon Energy need a rate increase? Significant and ongoing investments are needed in all aspects of the Yukon’s electricity system– from generation, transmission and distribution to storage and end-use programs. These investments will help to ensure the ongoing supply of safe, sustainable and reliable electricity to Yukoners. The four main drivers of the rate increase are: Growing demands for electricity. The Yukon is the fastest growing province or territory in Canada. At the same time, more Yukoners are turning to electric heat and transportation than ever before. The Yukon’s peak demand for electricity has increased by 23% in the last five years and this trend is expected to continue with an additional 36% increase in non-industrial peak load forecasted by 2030. Maintaining and upgrading the Yukon’s electricity system. Built primarily in the 1950s and 60s, Yukon Energy must continue to maintain and upgrade the Yukon’s existing electricity system. At the same time, water licences for each of the Corporation’s three hydro facilities, which supply Yukoners with more than 90% renewable electricity each year on average, need to be renewed within the next five years. Supporting the energy transition. The way Yukoners both consume and produce electricity is rapidly changing. The increased use of electric heat and vehicles, rooftop solar panels and distributed sources of solar and wind energy require investments to increase the capacity of the Yukon’s generation, transmission, distribution, and storage resources. Investments in new technologies and demand-side management programs are also needed to bolster reliability and resiliency of the Yukon grid. Rising costs of material and labour. Like other sectors in the Yukon, Yukon Energy is faced with higher costs of doing business, which stem from rising inflation, increased labour costs, and supply chain delays and constraints. More resources are also needed to direct, plan, execute and oversee the growing number of complex projects the Corporation is undertaking. What’s next? Yukon Energy’s GRA will be reviewed by the YUB. The YUB must approve any changes to electricity rates before they are applied to electricity bills. Yukoners will be able to view Yukon Energy’s application at yukonutilitiesboard.yk.ca. Quotes “This rate increase is about investing in our electricity system, as we enter a period of rapid growth and demand on the system. When deciding whether a rate increase is needed, we always look to balance sustainability, reliability and affordability. We also look at ways we can soften the impact of rate increases on Yukoners’ bills by implementing smaller increases more regularly. Ultimately, this rate increase is needed so that we can make the investments needed to maintain a reliable and resilient electricity system.” - Chris Milner, Interim President and CEO, Yukon Energy Corporation -30- Media Contact: Lisa Wiklund Manager, Communications  Yukon Energy 867-393-5398 lisa.wiklund@yec.yk.ca

Aug 06, 2023  Comment

EMO issues Evacuation Order for Mayo and Silver Trail between KM 35 and 66

EVACUATION ORDER - The Village of Mayo, including all properties along the Silver Trail between Kilometres 35 and 66 August 6, 2023 – 1:00 pm The Village of Mayo, including all properties along the Silver Trail between Kilometres 35 and 66  Evacuation Order – August 6, 2023  Under relevant legislation, an EVACUATION ORDER has been issued by Yukon Emergency Measures Organization. This ORDER is due to life safety hazard from the Talbot Creek fire (MA-033).  The order is in effect for location described in subtitle and any additional areas necessary.  Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or another designated agency will be expediting this action.  RESIDENTS AND VISITORS MUST LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY. REPORT TO THE MAYO COMMUNITY HALL OR THE NA-CHO NYAK DUN GOVERNMENT OFFICE.  What you should do:  If you need assistance leaving the area, contact Emergency Support Services (ESS) by phoning 867-332-4597;  Shut off all gas and electrical appliances, other than refrigerators and freezers; Close all windows and doors; Close, but do not lock, gates and latch;  Gather your family/household.  Do not use more vehicles than necessary; Take critical items including your purse/wallet, cash, medicine, keys, identification and important documents. If pets have not been proactively removed as of the evacuation alert, take them in kennels or on a leash. Please bring proof of vaccination for your pets; Follow the travel route provided; Monitor local news sources and Yukon.ca/emergencies for updated information. Register with Emergency Support Services by phoning 867-332-4597. Local residents and visitors should avoid visiting properties in the affected area until such time as notified by the Yukon Emergency Measures Organization.  Contact:  Fire Information Officer yukonfireinfo@yukon.ca

General
Jul 28, 2023  Comment

Why are clocks running faster than usual in Dawson?

How does Yukon Energy's system influence time? Our electric clocks run on 60 Hertz (Hz), “alternating current” (ac) electricity. Alternating current refers to the fact that the current consists of pulses and 60 Hz means that 60 pulses of current flow every second. This is known as the “frequency” of our power system. Many electric devices that are plugged into a wall socket, such as alarm clocks, ovens, and microwaves, use these pulses to count the seconds and keep time. In other words, clocks that are plugged into a wall socket use our system frequency of 60 cycles a second as a reference for determining time. We monitor the frequency very closely; however it is normal for the system to swing in the range of +/- 0.5 Hz. Ultimately, maintaining frequency is all about balance. If the generators in one part of the grid are running slower, generators in other sections of the grid may need to run faster to ensure we are maintaining our frequency of 60 Hz and that we have enough electricity for all who need it. What causes clocks to run fast or slow? If our generators are running above 60 Hz, clocks that are plugged in will run fast over time. If our generators are running below 60 Hz, clocks will run slow over time. How does this explain what’s happening in Dawson? Over the last month (July 2023), Dawson has been disconnected from the main grid and its sole source of electricity has been the diesel generators. We needed to disconnect Dawson to complete upgrades at our substation in Callison. You can read more about that project here. While the diesel generators in Dawson are designed to output 60 Hz, they sometimes run slightly above 60 Hz. Given frequency is a very sensitive calibration, it can stray slightly over time because of regular wear and tear on the generators. While we perform regular maintenance, some of these generators are near their end-of-life and need to be replaced soon. So, that is why Dawson residents may have noticed that clocks in Dawson have been running faster than normal recently. We also sometimes use the diesel generators to help restore power during an outage, which is why you may have noticed your clocks running faster after an outage. Are people in Dawson being charged more because of this? No. People in Dawson are not being charged more for electricity because the generators are running slightly faster than 60 Hz. Frequency determines how fast electricity travels from the source to the consumer. Electricity bills are based on electricity consumption, or how much electricity a customer uses over time. Just because the power gets to you faster, doesn’t mean that you’re using more of it.

Jun 27, 2023  Comment

Regarding the power outages the week of June 18, 2023

We know that no one likes power outages, and we recognize there have been several over the last week. We apologize for this and any inconvenience the outages may have caused. We take each outage seriously and do our best to restore power as quickly as possible in these situations. In the summer, we rely primarily on hydro to provide our electricity. So, when our hydro units trip we lose a significant source of generation. This was the cause of the outages on June 18, 19, 20 and 21. One of our hydro units tripped and we lost nearly half of the electricity we generate in the summer. Operating a power grid always requires a balance between generation and load. So, losing a large hydro unit resulted in an imbalance, with the load significantly larger than what the available generation could handle. When this happens, the grid will protect itself by shedding excess load to quickly restore balance between load and available generation, keep the system stable, avoid total grid outage, and ensure quick restoration. After further investigation into why the hydro unit tripped, we found that it was caused by a point of weakness in the protection and control systems’ wiring. There are thousands of wires in the power grid, so it is not possible to check all of the wires regularly. In other words, there was no way of knowing this would happen, until it did. The manufacturer of these systems has since rewired the faulty part of the control system to prevent this from happening again. The outages on June 22 and 23 were caused by lightning. Unfortunately, there is little we can do to prevent outages such as these. During these outages, we used diesel and LNG to make up for the lost generation and to restore power quickly. Despite the hydro unit being offline for days, the average outage length was one hour and 12 minutes. We used diesel as this is the fastest and most economical way to restore power. There are also diesel facilities in Dawson, Faro, Mayo and Whitehorse which we used to restore power to these communities before tying the grid back together. We thank everyone for their understanding and apologize again for the disruptions these outages may have caused.