YukonÂ’s energy plan gets mixed reviews


NFPA 70E Training

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$199
Coupon Price:
$149
Reserve Your Seat Today
The Yukon government's proposal to let people contribute their excess solar or wind energy to the territory's power grid is a good idea, but it does not go far enough, according to some energy experts.

The mixed reviews come from several Yukon energy consultants who gave detailed feedback on the government's draft "net metering" policy. The deadline for public feedback has already passed.

Under the draft policy, Yukoners who generate their own electricity through "renewable technologies" — namely, solar, wind, biomass or micro-hydroelectric generation systems — could feed their extra energy into Yukon's power grid for other consumers to use.

But those who do that, in an effort to reduce Yukoners' reliance on diesel-generated energy, should be rewarded more than they would be under the proposed policy, said Whitehorse alternative energy consultant J.P. Pinard.

"If the solar [energy] system is actually contributing and helping to reduce diesel during the time when it's being produced, then it has a much larger value," Pinard told CBC News.

Under the current proposal, Pinard said, the financial benefit would be so small that it would probably take at least 50 years for people's solar power systems to pay for themselves.

"When we're talking of a payback of around 50 years on a solar system, nobody wants to do that," Pinard said.

"I'm not sure I'm even going to be alive, [let alone] staying in this house in 50 years. Why should I spend all that money for something that really has no return for me?"

In his submission on the net metering proposal, John Maissan of Leading Edge Projects Inc. said there is little incentive being offered to people who generate more renewable power than they would be using for their own personal use.

"Over the course of a year, the best you can do is offset all your generation, and if you produce more, then there is no payment for it. I really think that could be a bit stronger," Maissan said.

The Yukon government will look at all the public feedback it received before drafting its final net metering policy.

Related News

Coronavirus impacts dismantling of Germany's Philippsburg nuclear plant

Philippsburg Demolition Delay: EnBW postpones controlled cooling-tower blasts amid the coronavirus pandemic, affecting decommissioning timelines…
View more

Hundreds facing hydro disconnection as bills pile up during winter ban

Ontario Hydro Disconnection Ban ends May 1, prompting utilities and Hydro One to push payment…
View more

FortisAlberta Takes Necessary Precautions to Provide Electricity Service for Alberta

FortisAlberta COVID-19 response delivers safe electricity distribution across Alberta, with remote monitoring, 24/7 support, outage…
View more

Clean B.C. is quietly using coal and gas power from out of province

BC Hydro Electricity Imports shape CleanBC claims as Powerex trades cross-border electricity, blending hydro with…
View more

Energy crisis is a 'wake up call' for Europe to ditch fossil fuels

EU Clean Energy Transition underscores the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, decarbonization, and…
View more

Duke Energy reaffirms capital investments in renewables and grid projects to deliver cleaner energy, economic growth

Duke Energy Clean Energy Strategy advances renewables, battery storage, grid modernization, and energy efficiency to…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified