Excerpt from the article written by Whitehorse Star
Published April 28, 2022
Wind turbine sits atop the thawing hills of Haeckel Hill, Yukon.
PHOTO: PHOTO PROVIDED by Vince Fedoroff
Another wind power project is coming to Haeckel Hill.
Nearly $30 million will be spent on the project, said a joint announcement made this morning by federal, territorial and Yukon First Nations officials.
“Through this project, four modern wind turbines will be installed on Haeckel Hill in Whitehorse,” the statement said.
“Energy generated through these turbines will feed in the Yukon’s energy grid, making this the first grid-connected wind project in northern Canada.
“Work is already underway, and construction is expected to be completed in November 2023. It is anticipated that these turbines will generate enough electricity to power up to 650 homes over their 20-plus year lifespan.”
That means they can replace the equivalent of more than 40 million litres of diesel fuel, which offsets up to 115,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
“It is also expected that these turbines will be able to feed energy into the grid throughout the winter, when demand for energy is at its highest peak in the territory,” the statement said.
The federal government is investing more than $13 million in the project through the Arctic Energy Fund, $8 million through the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC), and nearly $5 million through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).
The Eagle Hill Energy Limited Partnership (fully owned by the Kwanlin Dün First Nation’s development corporation, Chu Níikwän LP) is investing more than $2 million in the venture.
The Yukon Development Corp. (YDC) is contributing $485,000.
“Yukoners are all too aware of the effects of climate change,” said Yukon MP Brendan Hanley, speaking on behalf of Dominic LeBlanc, the federal minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.
“As Yukon continues to welcome more residents and businesses, we need to grow our energy mix while simultaneously reducing our GHG emissions,” Hanley said.
“These new wind turbines, which will connect to Yukon’s energy grid, will enhance the grid’s ability to meet peak winter electricity demand while reducing our reliance on diesel.”
Kwanlin Dun Chief Doris Bill said “Chu Níikwän LP’s investment in renewable energy is an investment in the future health of our lands, our resources and our people.
“By being involved in projects like this on our traditional territory through our development corporation, Kwanlin Dün First Nation is realizing and activating the potential for economic development that was laid out in Chapter 22 of our Final Agreement,” she pointed out.
“Last winter’s cold snap saw record electrical demand in the Yukon, and that demand will only increase in the future. We’re proud to be a part of improving energy security for all Yukoners.”
Click here for the full article.
Comments