Riverside Substation Upgrades

Summer 2022 – Construction is underway

Summer has arrived and construction has begun at the Riverside substation on Nisutlin Drive.
We’ve got boots and shovels on the ground and there is a lot going on.

Expansion work at the substation includes:

• ongoing excavation, including heavy equipment work; and
• installation of the ground grid, foundations, fencing, cables and electrical equipment. 

Upgrades to the existing transmission line between the substation and the Whitehorse dam includes:

• replacing existing poles with taller ones; and
• installing a new power line underneath the existing wires across the Yukon River.

Safety matters

Over the coming months, as construction continues, be sure to use caution on the trails and waterways around the substation. The section of Millennium Trail between the Rotary Centennial Bridge and the Fish Ladder is closed. Fencing and signage is 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.

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

Construction hours

Work at the substation will happen between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm, Monday to Saturday, excluding statutory holidays. During these times, you can expect to hear noise typical of a construction site, but we’ll make sure our work abides by all noise bylaws.

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