The Government of Yukon is committed to sustainable and effective energy solutions that meet the increasing needs of the territory.
Over the years, Yukoners have shown a strong interest in addressing the climate crisis by embracing renewable energy technologies. The high interest and rapid uptake in the Yukon government’s renewable energy programs has achieved its goal of adding renewable electricity onto the main electrical grid and in diesel-dependent communities seven years ahead of schedule.
In response, the Yukon government is working with public utilities to study how variable renewable energy can continue to be added to the grid in the future. Following the advice and requests of public utilities, new applications for the micro-generation program are temporarily paused in the Whitehorse area, including Teslin and Carcross, while the study is ongoing. This will not have an impact on electricity rates.
The study is scheduled to be completed by May 2024.
Projects that were pre-approved prior to December 15, 2023, will not be affected by the temporary suspension. The Government of Yukon will continue to deliver the annual reimbursement per the agreement with current micro-generators.
As more variable renewable energy sources, like solar, are added to the Yukon grid, more storage, firm capacity and upgrades to the Yukon’s electricity system are needed. The Yukon government is prioritizing the safety and reliability of the Yukon’s electricity infrastructure and finding ways to balance demand pressures with the available power supplies. This is to ensure that the public utilities can reliably deliver power to Yukon homes and businesses as needed.
Thanks to the enthusiasm and rapid uptake of Yukoners in our microgen program, we have increased the availability of renewable electricity seven years ahead of our target in Our Clean Future. Our government is listening to the advice of our public utilities and temporarily pausing the intake to the micro-generation program while we work together to ensure there is the adequate stability to maintain the reliability of the grid.
Our existing hydro resources combined with existing renewable energy projects puts us in an admirable place where more than 90 per cent of the electricity we generate each year is renewable. Increasing the supply of renewable power beyond 90 per cent will require upgrades to the Yukon’s electricity system to ensure electricity is safely and reliably delivered to Yukoners. The study we’re working on with Yukon government and ATCO will help outline the path and upgrades needed to make this happen.
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Intake for new micro-generation project proposals is paused from December 15, 2023, until May 31, 2024, for applicants between the Whitehorse area, Teslin and Carcross.
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The micro-generation program came into effect in October 2013. It allows Yukoners to connect their home or business renewable electrical generation systems to the grid, save money on monthly electrical bills and receive reimbursement for surplus electricity exported to the grid.
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Independent power producers operating under the Independent Power Producer program will not be impacted by the micro-generation program pause.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Holly Dalrymple
Energy, Mines and Resources Communications
867-333-0820
holly.dalrymple@yukon.ca