Riverside Substation Upgrades

In April, you will see construction begin at the Riverside substation on Nisutlin Drive. These upgrades are needed to connect Yukoners to the additional sources of electricity that will become available from our Whitehorse hydro upgrades, grid-scale battery, end-of-life diesel replacements, and the Atlin hydro expansion project.

The Riverside substation upgrades include:

• expanding the substation to add new equipment
• upgrading the existing transmission line between the substation and the Whitehorse hydro dam with taller poles and a second wire

What you can expect to see and hear

This is what you may see:

• trucks, excavators and graders
• workers in hard hats and safety gear
• temporary fencing and signage

This is what you may hear:

• sounds typical of construction
• machinery beeping, some increased traffic noises

Safety for Millennium Trail users

The section of the Millennium Trail between the Rotary Centennial Bridge and the fish ladder will be closed during construction. This is for the safety of Millennium Trail users, area residents and workers on site. With heavy equipment on site, it’s essential that every precaution is taken to keep everyone safe. Temporary signage and fencing will be put in place to let users know of the restricted access. Please avoid the area behind and around the substation, keep pets on a leash, and let children know to avoid the area.

Why do we need to upgrade the Riverside substation?

To connect Yukoners to more electricity

Demand for electricity in the Yukon is expected to grow by 40% in the next 10 years.
To help meet the demand, we’re working on projects in our 10-year Renewable Electricity Plan to increase capacity on the Yukon grid, including:

• uprating Whitehorse hydro units;
• building a grid-scale battery;
• replacing end-of-life diesel generators; and
• purchasing hydro power from Atlin.

But all these new sources of electricity need a way to reach you. Upgrading the Riverside substation is the link that connects the additional electricity to the Yukon grid so that Yukoners can use it.

Why Riverdale?

We own two substations near the Whitehorse Rapids Generating Station specifically designed to connect electricity to the grid. One is in our parking lot and the other, the Riverside substation, on Nisutlin Drive.

The substation in our parking lot is at capacity. The Riverside substation is the only one that has the space around it to add the new equipment we need for the upgrade.

What are the benefits?

Connects Yukoners to more electricity

The Yukon is growing and so is the demand for electricity. The upgraded substation will make more electricity available to Yukoners during peak times of use in the winter.

Leaves a smaller footprint and costs less

Upgrading an existing substation and transmission line instead of building new ones reduces the project’s impact on the environment, wildlife and the Riverdale community. It also costs less.

Learn more

Substation upgrades

Transmission line upgrades

Schedule

Public feedback