The Yukon’s public utilities will be able to to purchase renewable electricity generated in British Columbia under two new regulations approved under the territory’s Public Utilities Act.

The change enables the Yukon’s utilities to buy power from Tlingit Homeland Energy Limited Partnership’s hydroelectric expansion project in Atlin and the Daylu Dena Council’s solar farm located in Lower Post.

The approach is consistent with a similar regulatory change allowing the sale of electricity from the Yukon’s independent power producers and micro-generators to the Yukon’s utilities.

“The Yukon’s public utilities are now able to access additional sources of electricity from outside the territory to help meet local demands for affordable, reliable and clean electrical energy,” Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker said late last month.

“Renewable energy projects both inside and outside the territory are important to address climate change, reduce fossil fuel use and increase renewable electricity available in the Yukon.”

Chris Milner, the interim president of the Yukon Energy Corp., added, “Securing new sources of dependable winter electricity remains a top priority for Yukon Energy.

“These amendments are another key step towards connecting these sources to the Yukon grid.”

Jay Massie, vice-president of Northern Development and Indigenous Relations of ATCO Electric Yukon, said he welcomes the approval.

“We look forward to introducing more renewable energy onto the Watson Lake grid, a crucial step in reducing reliance on diesel-powered electricity and embracing cleaner alternatives,” Massie said.

The government adopted the two new regulations under the Public Utilities Act per order-in-council 2023/143.

If and when completed, the Atlin hydroelectric expansion and the Lower Post solar projects could help achieve the Our Clean

Future commitments of reducing the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation and increasing renewable electricity in the Yukon.