During periods of peak electricity demand in the winter, Yukoners can use up to 80% of the electricity available on the main grid. During extreme cold, electricity use can rise to more than 90% of available supply.
When electricity demand approaches the limits of the system, we follow a mutual aid protocol to help reduce strain and maintain service. Rotating power outages are always a last resort.
We take the following steps in order:
Mines are asked to disconnect from the grid and switch to their backup generators.
ATCO Electric Yukon turns on community diesel generators.
Mine remediation sites are asked to disconnect from the grid and use backup generators.
Large facilities, such as the Canada Games Centre and Whistle Bend Place, are asked to disconnect from the grid and use backup generators.
The public is asked to immediately reduce non-essential electricity use.
This request would be communicated through:
the Yukon government’s AlertReady system (emergency alerts to wireless devices, radio and TV),
social media, and
local media.
Rotating power outages are initiated, if necessary.
Power would be turned off in different neighbourhoods for a few hours at a time to reduce pressure on the system.
This step would be taken only if all other measures are not sufficient.
We would work closely with ATCO Electric Yukon and provide as much advance notice as possible.
Rotating outages would take place in Whitehorse, where staffing and emergency response resources are more readily available.
Updates would be shared through AlertReady, social media, local media, and posted on yukon.ca/emergencies.
As always, it’s important to be prepared. Make sure you have a 72-hour emergency kit ready in case of power outages or other emergencies.
More information is available here.