Yukon’s energy provider assures Whitehorse residents that while blackouts are not imminent, power conservation remains crucial during the upcoming frigid weather forecast for the holidays. ATCO Electric’s vice-president, Jay Massie, emphasized the importance of managing power usage, suggesting adjustments like lowering electrical heat in unused rooms while running large appliances.
Recent temperatures in Yukon, including Whitehorse, plummeted below -40°C, reaching -50°C in Ross River and Faro due to a cold front from Siberia since December 9. The Yukon energy minister alerted about the peak energy demand, raising concerns of potential rolling blackouts in Whitehorse if capacity limits are exceeded.
Rolling blackouts serve as a preventive measure to prevent extensive power outages by temporarily cutting power in specific neighborhoods. With ATCO Electric as the power distributor and Yukon Energy as the utility, efforts are in place to manage the heightened energy consumption, including asking industrial customers to switch to diesel generators and communities to diesel power sources.
Despite the strain on the energy grid, Massie expressed cautious optimism, mentioning a buffer before resorting to rolling blackouts. Yukoners were urged to reduce power consumption, resulting in a three to five megawatts decline in peak demand, out of the total 140 megawatts grid capacity.
Yukon Energy has an emergency plan to address peak demand, with steps to alleviate grid pressure before implementing rolling blackouts. Residents were advised to save energy by using appliances during non-peak hours, turning off unused lights, and unplugging electronics. Peak hours, between 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., are critical for conserving energy.
Emergency officials warned Yukoners to dress appropriately for the extreme cold to prevent frostbite, with Dr. Alex Poole emphasizing the urgency of rewarming frostbitten areas promptly. Yukon RCMP advised against unnecessary travel due to increased calls from stranded drivers, urging preparedness for winter conditions. The Whitehorse fire department noted a surge in call volume attributed to cold-triggered fire alarm activations due to extreme temperatures impacting building systems.