Renewable Energy

A sustainable renewable energy sector focuses on meeting the energy needs of the community and economic sectors while stewarding the environmental and cultural values of the Region. Moving away from non-renewable energy sources such as diesel and towards renewable energy, such as wind and solar, helps the Region lower greenhouse gas emissions, create local jobs and revenue, increase energy independence, and build Community Resilience.

Historically, the Region hosted a hydroelectric plant, known as the North Fork Hydro Project, which opened in 1911 between the North Klondike and the Klondike River. The project shut down in 1966, and the infrastructure was left abandoned at the site. Recognizing its redevelopment potential, the site was designated in the THFA as a hydro-electric or water storage project site, allowing the Government of Yukon or a private company to redevelop it into an operational facility. The site’s reopening has been proposed, but to date, it remains controversial and inactive.

Currently, Dawson City and properties along the North Klondike Highway are connected to the Yukon’s grid and are primarily powered by renewable hydroelectricity facilities in southern Yukon. However, throughout most of the year, energy demand often surpasses supply. As a result, the community relies on local diesel generators. Because of the continued reliance on diesel and a growing population, this infrastructure is currently being expanded.

To address the reliance on non-renewable energy, several renewable energy projects have been initiated to supply renewable energy to the community, including the Dawson City Solar Project, which opened in 2022 and a proposed Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in-owned biomass facility. Despite these increases in local renewables, many residences and businesses, including mine sites, remain unconnected to the grid and will continue to rely on non-renewable energy sources. Directions for all values and economic activities should be read alongside the Stewardship Directions for Renewable Energy, because of the interconnections between values and activities.