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The chair of the Yukon's energy corporation says wind energy isn't viable for the Yukon.
The chair of the Yukon's energy corporation says wind energy isn't viable for the Yukon.
Willard Phelps told the territory's legislature last week the multi-million dollar experiment in wind power turbines had failed to produce the results the company needs
The energy corporation installed a 150kW turbine on Haeckel Hill northwest of the capital in 1993, and a larger unit in 2000. The engines produce enough electricity to power about 130 homes and reduce the amount of fuel the company needs to produce electricity by 350,000 litres.
Despite taking precautions to prevent it, rime icing, or the build up of ice on the blades of the turbines, was seen as the major obstacle for wind power.
"Based on the facts I've seen is that it's not a very viable option because it's very expensive electricity and of course it's not reliable, …
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Willard Phelps told the territory's legislature last week the multi-million dollar experiment in wind power turbines had failed to produce the results the company needs
The energy corporation installed a 150kW turbine on Haeckel Hill northwest of the capital in 1993, and a larger unit in 2000. The engines produce enough electricity to power about 130 homes and reduce the amount of fuel the company needs to produce electricity by 350,000 litres.
Despite taking precautions to prevent it, rime icing, or the build up of ice on the blades of the turbines, was seen as the major obstacle for wind power.
"Based on the facts I've seen is that it's not a very viable option because it's very expensive electricity and of course it's not reliable, it depends on the wind," says Phelps.
"We haven't given up all hope for it, there may be one or two sites that make sense, it'll be one of the things we look at with the facts, not any kind of emotional position."
Officials also monitored wind sources at Old Crow and Destruction Bay, but neither site produced enough wind to make them economically viable.