The Yukon and British Columbia governments are expected to ink a deal to move forward on connecting the northern territory to the southern province香蕉视频直播檚 energy grid, according to a draft joint press release provided to the News.
The Yukon isn香蕉视频直播檛 currently connected to the North American electrical grid, but B.C. is.
The memorandum of understanding is intended to 香蕉视频直播済uide intergovernmental collaboration through the exploration and planning phases of connecting the Yukon and British Columbia electrical grids,香蕉视频直播� as noted in the release, which is pre-dated May 23.
Connecting the grids will 香蕉视频直播渦nlock energy security and economic prosperity香蕉视频直播� through two-way electricity transmission between the territory and the province, per the release.
Premier Ranj Pillai is quoted in the release saying that the Yukon and B.C. governments will ask the federal government for support to advance the 香蕉视频直播渃lean electricity corridor.香蕉视频直播�
As part of the deal, the territorial and provincial governments agree to find and go after opportunities to work together to increase renewable energy generation in Western Canada.
In particular, they will reflect on the North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL), and the potential for future extensions further north to support mines, port expansions and resource development, and future potential grid connections with the Yukon, as noted in the release. The NCTL is being planned to build a new, approximately 450-kilometre transmission line between Prince George and Terrace, B.C., according to a January 2025 press release by the B.C. government.
The joint release notes the Yukon Development Corporation and Yukon Energy Corporation are also looking into upping power generation in the Yukon, with a focus on increasing winter capacity as demand grows.
A Yukon government web page dedicated to the grid-connect project notes the Yukon Development Corporation is taking the lead on assessing if it香蕉视频直播檚 technically feasible, looking at cost and funding options, and seeking out partnerships with First Nations, industry and other governments.
The website indicates the project is one way the Yukon government is working on improving long-term energy prospects in the territory.
The News is scheduled to interview Pillai on this matter after the News香蕉视频直播� print deadline on May 23.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
