Haeckel Hill-Thay T’äw Wind Energy Project

PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Project Type: Wind
Capacity: 4.0 MW
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Owner: Eagle Hill Energy LP
Status: Commercial Operation
Completion Date: March 2024

NEWS

650 Yukon homes powered annually for 25 years

40 million

litres of diesel displaced over project lifetime

100,000

tonnes of CO2 emissions offset over project life

Overview

The Haeckel Hill-Thay T’äw Wind Energy Project is Northern Energy Capital's flagship project. Located within the Kwanlin Dün First Nation's traditional territory, it is the first 100% Indigenous-owned wind energy project in northern Canada. Perched atop Haeckel Hill in Whitehorse, the 4.0 MW project uses advanced cold-climate turbine technology to boost the local energy supply during winter, when wind production is highest and Yukoners need it most. Owned and operated by Eagle Hill Energy LP, the project commenced operations in March 2024, beginning 25 years of service providing clean, renewable energy to the Yukon Grid.

Services

Resource Assessment & Feasibility Studies
Grant Writing & Funding Application
Environmental Planning & Permitting
Advanced Design and Engineering Support
Construction and Commissioning Management
Operations Management
Cultural Legacy Initiatives

PROJECT OVERVIEW (PDF)

Development History

Starting in 2015, the Haeckel Hill-Thay T’äw Wind Energy Project has progressed from concept to commercial operation over nine years. It builds on three decades of wind energy research and development on Haeckel Hill, which paved the way for EHELP’s historic 4.0 MW wind project. Explore the history and key development milestones to see our journey from vision to reality.

DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES (PDF)

Commercial Operation Achieved, March 2024

EHELP Ribbon-cutting ceremony for construction completion, Fall 2023

KDFN Chief and Council Site Visit, Summer 2023

Installation and commissioning of turbines, Summer 2023

Turbines arrive in Whitehorse by truck, Summer 2023

Turbines arrive in Stewart, BC, by cargo ship from Antwerp, Belgium, Spring 2023

Concrete foundations poured with anchor rods installed for support, Summer 2022

Meteorological Tower installed on Haeckel Hill, 2016

Advanced Turbine Technology

The new wind turbines on Haeckel Hill mark a significant advancement in cold-climate technology. Equipped with state-of-the-art features, these turbines provide unparalleled efficiency and reliability in harsh weather conditions.

TURBINE TECHNOLOGY (PDF)

LONGER BLADES

30% longer blades creates a 70% larger swept path, allowing us to harness more of the wind’s energy with each rotation.

POWERFUL GENERATORS

New 1000 kW (1 MW) generators maximize the amount of energy produced by each turbine, up from the previous 600kW models.

TALLER TURBINES

Height increased three stories, from 37m to 46m, to provide access to higher, stronger, and more consistent air flow.

DE-ICING TECHNOLOGY

Black blades and in-blade heating technology prevents ice build-up and reduces down-time during icing conditions.

Cultural Legacy Initiatives

The Haeckel Hill-Thay T'äw Wind Energy Project features various cultural legacy initiatives that enhance public understanding of renewable energy benefits and celebrate Kwanlin Dün First Nation heritage and values. These efforts include educational resources, cultural preservation, and dynamic storytelling—showcasing a collaborative model of reconciliation and sustainable development. Together, these initiatives underscore the lasting social, economic, and environmental impacts of community-level renewable energy projects.

EHELP PICTURE BOOK (PDF)

BUY BOOK ON AMAZON

Eagle Hill Energy LP Childrens Book The Winds Over Whitehorse

Picture Book

The Winds over Whitehorse: Thay T’äw Kwändǖr (Golden Eagle Nest Story)

Kwanlin Dün history tells of a giant eagle that nested on Haeckel Hill long ago. The hill is known as Thay T'äw (Golden Eagle Nest) in Southern Tutchone, the dialect of KDFN's southern communities.

This picture book, co-authored by KDFN citizen Kikchucks Rae Mombourquette and Yukon-based artist Tedd Tucker, blends the lived experience and oral history from late Elder Ä́yenjìatà Louie Smith with lessons on environmental stewardship, clean energy, and contemporary Indigenous family values. Intended for children ages 3-5 years.

Southern Tutchone translations provided by Ä́yįzhìa Cory Holway with support from Elders Nakhela (Hazel) Bunbury and Tläkshan (David) Bunbury.

EHELP partnered with the Yukon Reads Society to distribute the book to over 1,200 children through the Yukon Imagination Library, which supports early literacy development for Yukon children.

Eagle Hill Energy LP Haeckel Hill Story Sharing Project Film GBP Creative Media

Story Sharing Film Project

This video series shares the story of the Haeckel Hill-Thay T'äw Wind Energy Project development through a six-minute film and seven FAQ videos.

Featuring construction footage and interviews with figures like KDFN Chief Sean Smith, it highlights how the project meets Yukon's energy demand with wind power and celebrates KDFN's stewardship of their traditional territories for our clean energy future.

Produced by GBP Creative.

Haeckel Hill-Thay T'aw Wind Energy Project Interpretive Panels

Interpretive Site Signage

Public signage at Haeckel Hill enhances awareness of project benefits and the cultural significance of the Thay T'äw (Golden Eagle Nest) project site for the Kwanlin Dün First Nation.

The installation includes a Corten steel frame with three interpretive panels. The panels detail KDFN's history, wind energy evolution on Haeckel Hill since the 1980s, and project advancements in cold-climate turbines.

The sign frame features designs by KDFN artist Terrence ‘Cory’ Shorty, digitized by Matt Taylor-Fisher. Corten steel frame custom-made by Duncan's Ltd.

Yukon University Scholarship

Eagle Hill Energy LP donated $20,000 to Yukon University for land-based education and pledged an additional $4,000 annually.

These funds help to cover equipment, materials, and offset student expenses like travel and childcare.

YukonU Provost and VP Academic Dr. Shelagh Rowles said the scholarship will enhance on-the-land learning opportunities for many students, regardless of their identity or program.

Long ago, cultural knowledge shared by elders told of how Kwanlin Dün citizens have harvested energy from the land and water for the people’s needs for thousands of years. Based on those traditional values, Kwanlin Dün continues that important relationship with the land and water to create energy our communities use year-round but in a new and responsible way.

Chief Sean Uyenets’echᶖa Smith, Kwanlin Dün First Nation

Project FAQ Video Series

Discover the journey from setup to sustainability with our FAQ series produced by GBP Creative. These short videos tackle the top questions about the Haeckel Hill-Thay T’äw wind turbines, covering everything from transport and installation to how wind energy works and the project’s broader benefits for the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Yukon’s clean energy future.