In 2025, Yukon Energy received a new water use licence to use water from the southern lakes to generate electricity at the Whitehorse Rapids Generating Station (WRGS), effective until July 30, 2045. The project entered the federal Fisheries Act authorization renewal process in January 2024 and continues to progress.
Yukon Energy is collaborating with First Nations in the project area to implement a comprehensive Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan and the expanded conditions of the licence.
Timeline
- On December 8, 2023, Yukon Energy submitted its Whitehorse Rapids Generating Station Relicensing Project Proposal to the Whitehorse Designated Office of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB).
- Yukon Energy received its new water use licence on July 31, 2025, from the Yukon Water Board.
- The project also requires authorizations under the Fisheries Act (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and the Canadian Navigable Waters Act (Transport Canada).
Why is this water licence important?
- Hydroelectricity is renewable
- Demand for electricity is growing
- While we are building new projects, it is critical we maintain what we have
- The Whitehorse Rapids Generating Station generates 60% of electricity we use in the summer, and 25% of the electricity we use in the winter