The shift to clean, sustainable energy production in the Yukon has taken another step forward with the unveiling of four new wind turbines on Haeckel Hill.
Today, Minister responsible for Yukon Development Corporation John Streicker, Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn and Kwanlin Dün First Nation Chief Sean Smith announced the completion of the Haeckel Hill Wind Project.
The Haeckel Hill Wind Farm Project will power up to 650 Yukon homes per year with clean electricity. The wind turbines are expected to produce enough clean energy to remove the equivalent of more than 40 million litres of diesel fuel, which offsets up to 115,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from the Yukon.
The total cost to complete the project was $29.8 million. The Government of Canada has invested over $13 million through the Arctic Energy Fund of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program; nearly $5 million through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor); and nearly $10 million through Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program (CERRC). The Eagle Hill Energy Limited Partnership (fully owned by Kwanlin Dün First Nation’s development corporation Chu Níikwän LP) has invested more than $2 million worth of in-kind work.
With the completion of the 4.0 MW Haeckel Hill Wind Project, we celebrate a significant achievement that will help power the Yukon with clean electricity. The Project is a model of how First Nations, federal, and territorial governments can work together to diversify and expand the sources of the clean energy our territory needs to grow. We extend our sincere congratulations to Kwanlin Dün First Nation for this monumental contribution to a more sustainable future.
Minister of the Yukon Development Corporation John Streicker
Our government is committed to helping build strong, resilient and sustainable Yukon communities. The Haeckel Hill Wind Project will offset the rising carbon emissions caused by the Yukon’s growing energy demand. Thank you to the Government of Canada for the continued funding support of infrastructure projects that make the Yukon a better place to live.
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn
Long ago, cultural knowledge shared by Elders told of how Kwanlin Dün Citizens have harvested energy from the land and water for the people's needs for thousands of years. Based on those traditional values, Kwanlin Dün continues that important relationship with the land and water to create energy our communities use year-round but in a new and responsible way. Today, Kwanlin Dün's corporation Chu Niíkwan has developed this project, meaning good clean renewable energy is being produced on Thäy Täw, in the heart of our Traditional Territory for our community. It makes me proud to support this project that will provide for years to come.
Kwanlin Dün First Nation Chief Sean Smith
It is essential to have access to reliable sources of energy to build cleaner, more inclusive northern communities. The completion of the Haeckel Hill Wind Project is an important step forward with renewable wind power and the first ever grid-connected wind project in northern Canada. With more efficient and reliable energy provision across the grid, communities around Whitehorse including the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, will continue to grow and thrive while contributing to a cleaner and healthier future in the Yukon and the country.
Member of Parliament for Yukon Brendan Hanley, on behalf of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser
Our government has made a significant investment in the Haeckel Hill Wind Project to help power residential homes in the Yukon with clean wind energy for years to come. This means reducing the Yukon’s reliance on costly diesel and creating less pollution. I want to thank all the partners who have worked together on making this project a reality and helping develop a clean energy economy that creates good jobs for northerners and First Nations.
Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor Dan Vandal
The Haeckel Hill Wind Farm Project was developed by Eagle Hill Energy LP, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chu Níikwän LP, the development corporation of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation. It is the first 100 per cent Indigenous-owned wind energy project in northern Canada.
The project uses innovative cold-climate wind-turbine technology to boost winter production. This will expand the Yukon’s role in cold-climate renewable energy research and resiliency. The wind turbine features include the following:
- Longer blades: Thirty per cent larger blades to harness more wind energy with each rotation.
- Taller turbines: A height increase from 37 m to 46 m (three stories) was done to access stronger airflow.
- Advanced de-icing technology: Black blades and blade heating systems are used to increase energy production potential during and after icing conditions.
- Powerful generators: A power increase from 600 kilowatts to 1,000 kilowatts to maximize energy production.
Electrical commissioning and communications testing activities are underway.
The turbines are expected to start spinning and generating energy for the Yukon grid in the late fall.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Wayne Potoroka
Communications, Community Services
867-332-9427
wayne.potoroka@yukon.ca