Final stage of the Mayo to McQuesten Transmission Line Replacement Project completed on budget and COVID-free

Dec 02, 2021  Comment

New electrical equipment has been put into service in central Yukon marking the completion of Yukon Energy’s Mayo to McQuesten Transmission Line Replacement Project. With total project costs coming in just shy of $34 million, the project was delivered on budget and without any cases of COVID-19.

“Completing a project of this size on budget is something to be proud of any day,” said Andrew Hall, President and CEO of Yukon Energy, “but to complete this project over the span of 18 months during a pandemic with zero cases of COVID-19 and zero major safety incidents is a true testament to the dedication of our team.”

The Mayo to McQuesten Transmission Line Replacement Project took place on the Traditional Territories of the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and Selkirk First Nation. Now complete, the project will improve power quality and increase reliability in the Mayo and Keno areas, improve public safety, and support future growth and development in the region with more renewable electricity.

The project consisted of two major stages: building a new 31 kilometre, 138-kilovolt transmission line to replace a 65-year-old transmission line that had reached end-of-life; and adding equipment at the Stewart Crossing South substation to improve power quality in central Yukon.

On September 5, 2019, the Government of Canada announced a contribution of over $22.7 million towards the project through the Green Infrastructure Stream (GIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.

Construction began in June 2020 after strict COVID-19 safety plans were put in place to keep area residents, First Nations Citizens and contractors safe. The first stage of the project was completed in March 2021 when the new transmission line between Mayo and the McQuesten substation was energized. The second stage was completed in mid-November when new equipment was installed and commissioned at the Stewart Crossing South substation.

“We’re proud of what we achieved here,” said Hall, “When COVID-19 came along, we found different ways to do things, and adapted as necessary to abide by new guidelines put in place by the Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and Yukon government, and to work within protocols requested by local First Nations and municipal governments.”

“Our job is to generate and deliver electricity to communities across Yukon. Throughout this project, our commitment to providing reliable service to Yukoners in a way that kept them and our employees and contractors safe never waivered.”

Quick Facts:

  • Together, both stages of the Mayo to McQuesten Transmission Line Replacement project were expected to cost $34 million.
    • Yukon Development Corporation provided $3.5 million towards planning costs (formerly the Stewart to Keno City Rehabilitation Project).
    • On September 5, 2019, the Government of Canada announced its contribution of over $22.7 million towards the replacement of the Mayo to McQuesten transmission line through the Green Infrastructure Stream (GIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.
    • Yukon Energy is investing roughly $7.8 million in the project. Industrial customers that use the new transmission line will pay 85 per cent of the fixed annual costs of the line.

Media Contact:

Megan Yakiwchuk
Yukon Energy
867-393-5337
megan.yakiwchuk@yec.yk.ca

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