New Government of Yukon advances grid stability and preliminary work on Winter Reliable Energy Plan

The new Government of Yukon is taking decisive action to protect the integrity of the Yukon’s electricity grid while fulfilling its commitment to determine the conditions needed to safely restart the micro-generation renewable energy program.

As part of this effort, the pause on new intakes to the micro-generation program will be extended indefinitely to allow for comprehensive studies to determine how to restore stability to the Yukon’s electricity grid and enhance its reliability. This work will be conducted as part of the Winter Reliable Energy Plan (WREP).

The micro-generation program was originally paused in December 2023 due to concerns about grid impacts. It was extended in January 2025 to assess necessary system upgrades for reliable integration of more intermittent renewables like solar and wind. Now, the new Government of Yukon is working closely with Yukon Energy, ATCO Electric Yukon and the Yukon Development Corporation to establish the technical and operational conditions required to integrate more intermittent renewables safely. This vital work is being integrated into the broader WREP, which addresses the grid's strain from growing demand, extreme winter peaks and the need for resilient and reliable winter infrastructure.

The Yukon's isolated grid faces significant challenges in not only generating enough energy to meet demand but also in maintaining stability and reliability. Over the past few years, the utilities have reported power outages and other sudden fluctuations for which high levels of solar power were a contributing factor. While minor grid instability events are common, it has been found that a high level of solar power on the grid is contributing to making these events significantly more challenging to manage. On the Yukon’s isolated grid, it is critical there is a constant balance between the amount of electricity Yukoners need and the amount of electricity generated. Any imbalance can cause power outages.

Recent events underscore the urgency: In December 2025, prolonged cold snaps drove peak demand to record levels, pushing the electricity grid to its limits, increasing the risk of rolling blackouts. With forecasts showing demand growth of another 40 megawatts in five years, largely driven from new homes reliant on electric heating, the new government is prioritizing dependable winter power through projects like the Whitehorse Power Centres, which will modernize the grid, reduce outage risks and enable better intermittent renewable integration.

By embedding the integration of intermittent renewables assessment into WREP, the new Government of Yukon is building a stronger, more reliable energy system that supports Yukoners' needs and our economy. The government will share study results as soon as they are finalized, ensuring transparency on the path forward.