Yukon Power Outage Warning as Extreme Cold Pushes Grid to Its Limit

Canada’s Yukon is facing deep cold and a rising risk of a major power outage this week. Officials said the grid came close to failure on Monday after demand reached a record high. The cold snap hit many parts of the territory, including Whitehorse and Haines Junction. Emergency teams urged people to be ready for blackouts that could last hours.

The alert came after one local power station failed for several hours. The incident pushed the system near its limit and raised fears of rolling blackouts across the territory.

Yukon Power Outage Risk Grows During Record Cold

Energy Minister Ted Laking said the territory hit a peak load of 123 megawatts on Monday. According to Reuters, this was the highest demand ever seen in Yukon. The grid can produce 140 megawatts only when all systems run in ideal conditions. Officials said the cold placed heavy strain on every part of the power network.

The outage in Haines Junction started from an exhaust issue at a local plant. The loss of one small power source forced other units to run harder. Emergency teams said this raised the risk for the rest of the grid. They warned the system could face more failures if the extreme cold continues.

Temperatures reached about -42 degrees Celsius in Whitehorse on Tuesday. The Emergency Measures Organization said the cold would last for days. Its response manager said many residents should prepare for a possible blackout at any time. He urged people to keep an emergency kit that can last 72 hours.

Why Yukon Residents Are Being Told to Prepare

Officials said the main concern is the rapid jump in power use. Heating systems run non-stop during cold snaps. Homes and buildings also consume more power as temperatures fall. This extra demand puts the grid under stress and increases the chance of sudden outages.

Residents were told to gather key items now. These include lights, radios, warm clothes, baby supplies, pet food, medicine and hygiene items. The list also includes first aid kits and backup chargers. Emergency teams said these steps are simple but can save lives in severe cold.

The minister said everyone must do their part. He asked residents to cut down on electricity use when possible. This includes turning off lights, lowering thermostats a little and avoiding heavy appliances during peak hours. He said these small changes help the grid stay stable.

Yukon’s Long-Term Energy Challenge

The current cold snap shows the limits of Yukon’s energy system. The territory relies on a mix of hydro and diesel power. Hydro plants work well in normal winter conditions. But deep cold raises demand faster than supply can grow. This forces the system to run close to its maximum output.

Experts say the territory may need more backup power in the future. They also point to the region’s growing population and new construction. Both increase yearly demand. Long-term planning could help prevent similar risks in the coming years.

The Yukon power outage warning is now a major concern as the cold wave continues. The coming days will test the grid and the readiness of residents. The main goal is to keep the power on and protect people from the extreme cold.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why is Yukon at risk of a power outage?

The grid is under strain from record cold and high demand. One local power station failed on Monday. Officials said the system is near its limit.

Q2: How cold is it in Whitehorse?

Temperatures dropped to about -42 degrees Celsius. The cold snap is expected to stay for several days.

Q3: What caused the outage in Haines Junction?

An exhaust issue at a local generating station caused the failure. The outage lasted several hours and added strain to the territorial grid.

Q4: What should residents include in a 72-hour emergency kit?

People should pack lights, warm clothing, radios, chargers and first aid kits. They should also include baby items, pet supplies and needed medicine.

Q5: How much power can Yukon produce?

The territory can produce about 140 megawatts in ideal conditions. Officials said Monday’s demand reached 123 megawatts, setting a new record.

Trusted Sources: Reuters, CBC News, Associated Press