Yukon sets a new record for electricity demand

Yukon set a new record for electricity demand yesterday. The new record of 104.42 megawatts was recorded at 7:51 a.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2021. The new peak is about half a megawatt higher than the previous record of 103.84 megawatts recorded on January 14, 2020.

On average, more than 90% of the electricity generated in Yukon comes from renewable resources each year. However, during periods of high electricity use each winter, Yukon Energy must use its hydro, liquefied natural gas, and diesel resources (both rental and permanent) to generate the electricity Yukoners need. Typically, the greater the peak demand for power, the more diesel is needed to generate electricity.

Yukoners can help beat winter peaks and reduce the amount of diesel used to generate electricity during them by reducing the amount of power they use during periods of high electricity demand – typically between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., each day, Monday to Friday.

Some easy ways Yukoners can use less electricity during winter peaks include:

• Using a block heater timer on vehicles
• Delaying the use of major appliances like the dishwasher and dryer to off-peak times
• Turning down the thermostat by 1 to 2 degrees

january 6, 2022 update: 

Another record was reached today. At 9:42 a.m. this morning, the Yukon recorded a new system generation peak of approximately 116 megawatts.