Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker speaking to reporters about the new 25-year energy plan. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – The Yukon Government’s new 25-year energy plan, which includes a $100 million investment in two diesel plants, is drawing criticism from opposition parties.
The plan aims to address rising energy demand and stabilize the grid with thermal backup, including diesel, while prioritizing renewable energy for the long term.
Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon called the plan an “admission of failure” of the Liberal government’s past energy strategy, accusing them of backtracking on their stance on fossil fuels.
“It’s a repudiation of the last nine years of liberal energy strategy,” said Dixon. “It’s surprising that the Liberals are trying to somehow convince Yukoners that they’ve supported these kinds of investments all among.”
Yukon NDP MLA Lane Tredger called the plan a “shocking” departure from the government’s climate goals which could jeopardize the territory’s 2050 net-zero target.
In defense of the plan, Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker stressed that diesel is necessary for grid stability as demand grows with the long term goal remaining renewable energy.
“I’ve always known that we need to have thermal backup,” said Streicker. “The real question is, you could also just put in diesels and go for diesel production… I think that is clearly a mistake.”
He says the government continues to invest in wind, solar and battery storage,
The new plan will cost $500 million in the next five years.
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