Off-grid highway maintenance camps to use solar-generated power

As part of the Government of Yukon’s commitments under Our Clean Future to install renewable electricity generation systems in off-grid territorial government buildings, the Yukon government is nearly finished installing solar panels and battery energy storage systems at the Klondike and Ogilvie maintenance camps along the Dempster Highway.

Modernizing off-grid highway maintenance camps to use solar-generated power reduces fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. These are important steps to achieve the Government of Yukon’s commitment to finding sustainable and effective energy solutions to meet the increasing needs of the territory.

These maintenance camps, traditionally powered with diesel generators, are essential for keeping the Yukon’s rural highway network in good condition. Once the new solar energy systems are installed, it will reduce the need for diesel-generated electricity in the maintenance camps. This offsets about 103,000 litres less fossil fuels, which is the equivalent of 2297 one-way trips from Whitehorse to Dawson and lowers emissions by 270 tonnes annually. Additionally, roughly 2,500 litres less fuel will be needed to transport diesel from Fort St. John to the maintenance camps on the Dempster Highway.

The Government of Yukon is currently tendering two more solar projects at the Blanchard and Tuchitua highway maintenance camps. These projects will further reduce the Government of Yukon’s carbon footprint.

These solar projects represent the Government of Yukon’s commitment to fulfilling the objectives outlined in Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy. They contribute to meeting goal area number three, which focuses on energy production.