Yukon Party taking action to keep the lights on

WHITEHORSE – Years of insufficient planning and insufficient investment in aging infrastructure, combined with growing electricity demand, have put increasing pressure on the Yukon’s electricity grid. Last winter showed just how serious the challenge has become.

The Yukon needs more dependable electricity to keep homes warm, businesses running, and communities safe during the coldest months.

Over the past year, the Yukon Party government has taken action to strengthen energy security, help Yukoners with electricity bills, reduce demand, invest in new power generation, and seek federal support for major infrastructure projects.

“Yukoners need electricity they can count on, especially when it’s dark, and temperatures drop to minus 40 or colder,” said Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ted Laking. “Our electricity system is aging; demand is growing and the costs of keeping it running are being shared by a small number of ratepayers. We need to deal with these challenges now, while making the investments needed for the future.”

Since taking office, the Yukon Party government has introduced several measures to address the Yukon’s electricity challenges, including:

•    Helping Yukoners with electricity bills. The new expanded Affordability Rate Relief program provides households with up to $106 monthly from October through December and up to $112 per month from January through March. This means eligible households can receive up to $657 in relief this winter, more than double last year’s maximum of $282;
•    Reducing pressure on the electricity grid. The nearly $950,000 Dependable Grid Program offers rebates to help Yukoners reduce electricity demand, lower energy costs, and use alternative home heating systems;
•    Planning for dependable winter power. The Winter Reliable Energy Plan is being developed to address growing electricity demand, improve grid stability, and identify the power infrastructure the Yukon will need in the years ahead;
•    Seeking federal support for major energy projects. The Yukon Party government is advancing the Arctic Sovereignty Grid Plan and calling on Ottawa to help pay for critical upgrades. Yukon ratepayers cannot reasonably be expected to cover these costs on their own;
•    Building new electricity generation. The Whitehorse Power Centres Projects is being advanced to provide additional dependable power, particularly during peak winter demand, to give Yukoners power they can count on when it is needed most and meet forecast electricity needs through 2040;
•    Repairing and maintaining aging hydro infrastructure. Work includes safety improvements at the Mayo Generating Station and ongoing relicensing work for hydro facilities that supply most of the Yukon’s electricity; and
•    Taking practical and common-sense steps to manage future electricity demand. The government has moved to repeal unrealistic energy policies that destabilized the grid while extending the pause on new micro-generation applications while work continues to assess the grid’s capacity to accommodate new generation.

“Reliable and affordable electricity is essential for Yukon families and businesses. It also matters for new housing, jobs, and investment,” said MLA for Porter Creek South Adam Gerle. “As demand grows, the Yukon needs an electricity system that can support new opportunities without placing unreasonable costs on families.” 

The government is also continuing discussions with Ottawa on the cost of necessary infrastructure investments. The Yukon operates an isolated electricity grid, leaving a relatively small number of customers responsible for significant costs associated with national priorities.

“While there is more work to do, we have made important progress over the past year,” said MLA for Porter Creek North Doris Anderson. “We will continue working together with First Nations, utilities, industry and Yukon communities to strengthen our electricity system and ensure the territory is well positioned to meet future energy needs.”

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