Record-breaking cold has pushed Yukon’s electrical grid to its limits, with officials warning that rolling blackouts may become necessary as Arctic temperatures continue to grip the territory.
The power system reached an all-time peak demand of 123 megawatts on December 22, approaching the territory’s maximum capacity of 140 megawatts. Temperatures had dropped below -40°C across much of the region, with some communities experiencing lows of beyond -50°C.
“It is important to know we’re close,” Ted Laking, the minister responsible for Yukon Energy, told reporters Tuesday. “The grid is strained, and conserving energy is a really good way that folks can help us through this.”
An Arctic ridge of high pressure originating from Siberia has trapped the territory in a deep freeze since early December, with forecasters predicting the pattern will persist through the holiday period.
The crisis has thrust Yukon’s liquefied natural gas facility into an unexpected spotlight. The 13.2-megawatt LNG plant, which came online in 2015, now provides critical backup power alongside the territory’s hydroelectric and diesel generators. Officials commissioned the facility after determining that natural gas offered cleaner and more economical backup generation than diesel alone.
The plant’s prominent role during the emergency carries particular irony. Environmental groups mounted significant opposition to the facility during its approval process, arguing that methane leaks during natural gas extraction would ultimately produce more greenhouse gas emissions than diesel. Critics also raised concerns about hydraulic fracturing, even though the gas comes from British Columbia rather than Yukon sources.
Laking urged residents to reduce electricity consumption during peak hours by turning off unnecessary lights, using appliances during off-peak times, and moderating indoor heating. Officials have asked residents to prepare 72-hour emergency kits in case rotating power cuts become necessary.
The territory broke its previous peak demand record just weeks ago, highlighting the growing strain on aging infrastructure. Yukon Energy has announced plans to develop new thermal power centers and modernize the grid, though these projects remain years away from completion.
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