Yukon breaks record for electricity consumption, three times this week
Yukon Energy points to the cold snap, and homeowners' growing preference for electric heat
Yukon Energy says the territory broke its record for power consumption, first on Monday, then on Tuesday, and again on Wednesday morning.
Yukoners used 84.33 MW of power on Monday. A day later, consumption was up to 84.57 MW, and on Wednesday the record was broken again, with consumption reached 85.03 MW.
The previous record was set nearly two years ago, on Jan. 5, 2015, when Yukoners consumed 83.69 MW. The territory that day was experiencing a cold snap similar to this week, with temperatures hovering around –30 C.
Janet Patterson of Yukon Energy says there are a few reasons for the increased power use.
"One of the major things is that a lot of the new homes here in the territory are electrically heated. And of course, with temperatures like this, people are turning up their heat," she said.
Patterson says the bulk of the electricity is coming from the Whitehorse hydro dam, the Mayo dam, and the Aishihik hydro plant near Haines Junction. Some is also from the company's diesel and liquified natural gas (LNG) generators.
She says Yukon Energy can generate up to 130 MW of power, though the freezing Yukon River means there is less water to flow through the Whitehorse dam at this time of year.
"I mean, we still got surplus here, so I don't want people to think we are close to having blackouts or anything like that," Patterson said. "It's just that when we are having this kind of draw on the system, we are using a lot of thermal ... and when I say 'thermal' I mean both diesel and liquefied natural gas."
Patterson says the Minto mine — Yukon's only operating mine — accounts for some draw on the system, but not as much as in the past. She says it's only using about half the power it normally does (about three MW, compared to six).
Patterson says Yukon Energy is asking Yukoners to try to conserve energy. She suggests taking shorter showers, or avoiding running appliances during times of peak energy use, around breakfast and dinner time.
