who we are
Established in 1987, Yukon Energy is a publicly owned electrical utility that operates as a business, at arms-length from the Yukon government. We are the main generator and transmitter of electrical energy in Yukon. We work with our parent company, Yukon Development Corporation, to provide Yukoners with reliable, sustainable and cost-effective power.
There are over 21,000 electricity consumers in the territory. Yukon Energy directly serves over 2,200 of these customers, most of whom live in and around Dawson City, Mayo and Faro. Indirectly, we provide power to most other Yukon communities through ATCO Electric Yukon. ATCO buys wholesale power from us and sells it to retail customers in the territory.
Most of the electricity we produce is renewable, coming primarily from hydro resources generated at our Whitehorse, Aishihik and Mayo hydroelectric facilities. A small amount of LNG and diesel is also used to ensure reliable and cost-effective electricity is available when it’s needed at peak times, during emergencies and when renewable sources of electricity are not available.
Our headquarters are located near the Whitehorse Rapids hydro plant in Whitehorse, with community offices in Mayo and Dawson City.
mission
To enable Yukon's prosperity with sustainable, cost-effective and reliable electricity
vision
To establish a sustainable legacy for Yukon's future
values
Safety
Accountability
Continuous Improvement
Teamwork
Professionalism
Good Corporate Citizenship
message to yukoners
Yukon Energy is an industry leader in sustainable energy production in Canada with more than 90 per cent of our electricity being renewable.
We remain committed to increasing the amount of renewable electricity we generate, however at the same time, we are facing some unique challenges. The Yukon is growing and Yukon Energy is attracting more customers while our generating facilities and transmission infrastructure are aging. We must generate more energy and build more generation capacity if we are to meet future residential and industrial demand for electricity and continue to provide reliable and affordable power to Yukoners.
In 2018, much of our time and energy was devoted to working with industry partners, Yukon First Nations and all levels of government to increase the availability of renewable energy solutions, reduce reliance on non-renewable sources, lessen energy consumption in the Yukon, and strengthen the reliability of our isolated electricity grid.
Our accomplishments over the year included:
- Developing a new Five-Year Strategic Plan for the Corporation;
- Working with Yukon government and ATCO Electric Yukon to launch the Standing Offer Program of the government's Independent Power Production Policy;
- Securing Federal funding for a pilot test of residential demand response technologies to shift peak electricity demand in customer homes;
- Refurbishing our backbone 138 kV transmission lines between Aishihik, Whitehorse and Carmacks;
- Installing a third LNG engine in Whitehorse to better equip us to meet peak demands for electricity;
- Beginning work to increase the amount of electricity we’re able to generate out of our existing Whitehorse hydro facility; and
- Kicking-off preliminary planning work on the development of new mid-scale hydro facilities.
As we look ahead to 2019, our focus remains on building and delivering projects that enable Yukon’s prosperity with renewable, cost-effective and reliable electricity.
This means addressing the capacity issue we face head-on by working on a portfolio of solutions including upgrades at our Whitehorse hydro facility; enhancements to our existing hydro storage capabilities; two proposed hydro developments; a gridscale battery; a new LNG, diesel or dual-fuel generation facility; and a suite of energy conservation programs. We will also be starting work to update our 2016 Resource Plan.
This is an exciting time for Yukon Energy and we look forward to reporting back to you on our continued progress in future reports.
Lesley Cabott
Chair, Yukon Energy Corporation
Board of Directors
2018 board of directors
Lesley Cabott, Chair
Clint McCuaig, Vice-Chair
Susan Craig
John Jensen
Gary Jones
Simon Lapointe
Gina Nagano
Mike Pemberton
Wendy Shanks

president's welcome
I am pleased to present the 2018 Yukon Energy Annual Report.
During our last public survey completed in 2016, Yukoners told us that when it comes to future energy projects, they care most about environmental protection, then cost, then reliability, and finally social responsibility. These values are important to us too and are now the pillars in which we measure all of our planning and operational activities.
I am proud to say that in 2018, our customers experienced fewer power outages than the year prior. One contributing factor of this was the lower number of controllable outages – outages caused by loss of generation, equipment failure or human error – we had in 2018 compared to 2017. I believe this is a true testament of our team’s commitment to operating and maintaining our electric system with the highest level of care and attention.
Electricity rates in Yukon remain the lowest across Canada's North. Although we submitted an application in 2017 to our regulator, the Yukon Utilities Board, for our first rate increase since 2013, the Board did not deliver a decision on that application this past year.
Rate applications are always rigorous. The process includes multiple stage gate reviews and opportunities for governments, industry experts and the public to review, analyze and ask questions of the utility’s proposal and to provide counter arguments. I hope this instills confidence in you that rate increases – when they do happen – have been carefully scrutinized by a number of different parties and found to be just and in the best interest of all customers.
This past year also had its fair share of challenges too, the largest being low water levels at our Mayo and Aishihik hydro facilities. Water levels at these facilities at different points in 2018 were the lowest they had been since the late 1990s. As a result, we ended up needing to use more liquefied natural gas (LNG) to generate electricity and meet customer demands for power.
Through it all, our team of professional and dedicated employees and Board of Directors continued to work extremely hard to advance the goals that we set out for ourselves and the company at the start of the year, and to give back to the communities and people we are privileged to serve.
Andrew Hall
President and CEO
2018 at a glance
Generating capacity
129
MEGAWATTS in the summer
116
MEGAWATTS in the winter*
*caused by a lower supply of hydro resources during winter months
Electricity supplied
450
GIGAWATT HOURS
Peak demand
93
MEGAWATTS
(recorded on February 5, 2018)
Renewable generation
92
PER CENT
Reportable motor vehicle incidents
0
(with damages exceeding $5000 as defined by the Canadian Electricity Association)
Environmental spills
0
(as defined by Yukon Spills Regulations)
strategic priorities and performance
2018
Achieve an All Injury Frequency Rate of 1.0 or less
In 2018, we had an All Injury Frequency Rate of 2.5, compared to 5.1 in 2017. We are trending in the right direction, but there is still work to be done.
Achieve a Reportable Motor Vehicle Incident Rate of 0
Achieved.
Achieve 10 or less Controllable Outages
We had 12 controllable outages in 2018, compared to 16 in 2017.
Achieve a Return on Equity of 7.35%
The 2018 Return on Equity was 6.54%, down from 8.32% in 2017.
Complete installation of third LNG unit on time and on budget
Achieved. The third unit was installed on time and on budget.
Complete 2018 scope of the Transmission Refurbishment project on time and on budget
Achieved. 2018 work was completed on time and on budget.
Develop and implement a Generation Resource Management Process
Achieved. We implemented industry best practices to monitor and forecast inflows to our reservoirs which will help maximize generation of renewable electricity.
Complete key deliverables for the first year of our Asset Management Program
Achieved. In 2018, we made good progress in developing an asset management framework consistent with best practices. Work remains to expand and implement the framework over the next few years.
Confirm path forward for addressing long-term energy and capacity requirements
In 2018, we began planning for upgrades to increase the output of our Whitehorse hydro facility.
Develop expanded Demand Side Management Program
We completed scoping of future demand side management programs and entered into discussions with Energy Solutions Centre about working together to deliver the programs. We also secured federal funding for a pilot test of residential demand response technologies to shift peak electricity demand in customer homes.
Submit an Aishihik Relicensing Application to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board with support from the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations
There was a delay as we continue to work with the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations on this application. We submitted an application for a 3-year license renewal in early 2019.
The health and safety of our people and customers are part of every decision we make and every action we take.
- Achieved an overall score of 95% on our 2018 COR Audit
- Provided more than 28 safety orientations to staff and more than 379 individual orientations for contractors and consultants
- 90% of Yukon Energy employees attended at least one safety meeting a month
- More than 50% of Yukon Energy staff chose to utilize the company’s wellness subsidy
- Implemented initiatives to improve employee communication and enhance teamwork within and across departments
We are committed to limiting the impact of our operations on the environment and promoting biodiversity.
- Zero reportable environmental spills in 2018
- Raised and released about 150,000 Chinook Salmon from our Whitehorse Rapids Fish Hatchery
- About 60,000 Rainbow Trout, 30,000 Arctic Char and 80,000 Kokanee Salmon were raised at the Whitehorse Rapids Fish Hatchery
- Continued support of community stewardship initiatives such as the:
- Celebrations of Swan Festival
- Fox Creek Salmon Habitat Enhancement Program
- Salmon conservation programs and fry release at Wolf Creek and Mayo River
- Yukon River Salmon Migration Study in partnership with Canadian Wildlife Federation, Carleton University, Carcross/Tagish First Nation and Kwanlin Dun First Nation
- Partnered with the National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS) and Yukon College to monitor and assess the longterm effects of climate change in our hydro reservoirs
We are committed to providing sustainable, reliable, affordable and safe electricity service to our customers.
OUTAGES
Total Number of System Outages in 2018: 34
Top Causes of System Outages in 2018:
- Equipment malfunction
- External interference (third-party contact and wildlife)
- Adverse weather
- Planned outages
CUSTOMER RATES
Electricity rates in Yukon remain the lowest of Canada's three territories.*
* Source: Northwest Territories Power Corporation General Rate Application, 2016/19; Qulliq Energy Corporation 2018/19 General Rate Application; Quebec Hydro.
CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS
Total Number of New Customer Connections in 2018: 50 (2% of 2017 customer base)
Total Number of New Micro-generation Customers Connected in 2018: 3
OTHER MILESTONES
Executed a Power Purchase Agreement with Victoria Gold and began planning for the system protection regime to incorporate the Eagle Gold Project onto the grid.
community
We believe in giving back and being active members in the communities we are privileged to serve.
Provided $85,000 to a variety of community groups across Yukon in the areas of:
Arts, Culture and Tourism
Sports & Recreation
Health, Social Services and Education
Sustainable Development
Awarded $12,000 in post-secondary education scholarships
We are committed to enriching and building partnerships with Yukon First Nations, industry partners and all levels of government.
Advanced our Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Committed designation by implementing a First Nation Procurement Policy and First Nation Recruitment Policy.
Co-hosted and organized the Canadian Electricity Association's (CEA) Partnering in Energy Development Symposium with ATCO Electric Yukon at the Carcross Learning Centre. The forum focused on partnership opportunities with First Nations and included presentations by the Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Premiers of Yukon and N.W.T., the Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief, First Nation Chiefs and Development Corporation delegates, Independent Power Production proponents and utility leaders.
Collaborated with ATCO Electric Yukon and Yukon government on the Standing Offer Program of the government's Independent Power Production (IPP) Policy.
Our business is the generation and transmission of electrical energy to most of Yukon. We strive for energy production that is reliable, sustainable and cost-effective. Our primary source of power comes from our legacy hydro assets and our goal is to minimize the use of non-renewable sources due to higher variable cost and environmental impacts.