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.