Yukon Energy is seeking public input into its proposal to build a new 20-megawatt generating plant powered by diesel, natural gas or a combination of the two.

Members of the public can provide their feedback through an online survey, contacting Yukon Energy directly by email or by attending one of four open houses planned for Whitehorse beginning Saturday.

The Crown corporation maintains the new plant is required to meet growing demand and provide additional insurance in the case of a loss of hydro generation, low water levels, peak demand and extreme low temperatures.

Low water, for instance, is currently forcing Yukon Energy to burn natural gas in order to preserve the water in the Aishihik Lake reservoir for generation this coming winter.

Approximately 20 per cent of the grid power was being generated this morning with natural gas.

Yukon Energy has been renting portable generating units in the last two years to provide additional backup if required.

The cost of the new plant is estimated at $40 million to $70 million, depending on the solution chosen, Yukon Energy president Andrew Hall told the Star this morning.

Yukon Energy has identified five location options for the generating station:

• next to the Takhini substation on the Mayo Road;

• across the Yukon River near the Whitehorse sewage lagoon;

• at the Whitehorse landfill;

• at the existing diesel generating plant at the Whitehorse Rapids Dam; and

• across Robert Service Way from the new the LNG facility.

In addition to the options for a site selection, there also the options of what fuel to use for generation – diesel, natural gas or a combination of both.

The addition of a 20-MW plant was included in Yukon Energy’s 20-year resource plan that was updated in 2016.

Hall said officials are targeting early 2022 to have the plant up and running.

There are variables that may affect the project schedule, however, including the permitting process.

The Yukon government would also have to approve the project. Any money the public utility borrows must be applied to the $400-million cap on the territory’s borrowing limit, Hall explained.

He said officials expect to recommend a site to Yukon Energy’s board of directors this summer.

Yukon Energy is also continuing to pursue options for renewable generation, such as a hydro project at Drury Creek off the Robert Campbell Highway, Hall said.

He pointed out there are a number of proposals on the table under the new Independent Power Production policy, including the proposal by a private company to place four wind turbines on Haeckel Hill.

Yukon Energy is also waiting to hear back from Ottawa regarding its application for $10 million to assist with the purchase of a large battery storage unit that could be charged during periods of low demand and used in periods of peak demand.

Cody Reaume of the Yukon Conservation Society said today it’s disappointing to see Yukon Energy heading in the direction of a new thermal generating station.

The international panel on climate change is saying we need to reduce dependency on fossil fuels by 50 per cent by 2030, and be carbon-free by 2050, he pointed out.

Reaume said he realizes Yukon Energy is in a pinch right now to bring more generation onto the grid – but everybody knew five and 10 years ago the territory was heading toward an energy deficit.

Much more could have been done to pursue renewable options, he suggested.

Reaume said it might be wise for Yukon Energy to go with the option of renting the required generation, as it would be less expensive than buying.

Savings could be put toward renewable generation, and maybe in 20 years or so there would be enough new renewable energy to unplug the new fossil fuel plant, he suggested.