Earlier this week, the Government of Yukon announced a new micro-generation policy to allow individuals to offset their current power consumption by generating their own electricity through renewable means.
The micro-generation policy offers individuals the opportunity to export surplus electricity to the grid for financial compensation and is good news for consumers for a number of reasons.
Firstly, it provides opportunities for Yukoners to produce electricity for their own consumption and gives them the ability to offset their energy use with renewable energy generation.
Secondly, it encourages the development and adoption of new individual renewable energy sources that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy conservation and greater energy efficiency in Yukon.
To make the program work, Yukon’s utility operators will track the amount of electricity exported and electricity used in a year and will then share the information with the Yukon government.
Through a micro-generation incentive program, the government will offer participants a financial payment for the surplus electricity they produce. The rate will be set at $0.21 per kilowatt-hour for communities connected to the grid and $0.30 per kilowatt-hour in communities powered by diesel generation.
The Yukon government will reimburse micro-generation customers on an annual basis for all exported electricity generated through the year.
This policy is an important part of the energy strategy for Yukon which was released by our government in 2009. That plan outlines our desire to provide Yukoners with a continuing and abundant supply of clean and affordable power and our serious intention to take a holistic view in planning Yukon’s electricity future.
While the micro-generation project allows us to have individual producers generate electricity, we are also looking at alternative power sources such as wind and biomass and more affordable options that could reduce diesel consumption in communities not connected to the hydro system.
The Government of Yukon recognizes the current necessity of a continued supply of fossil fuels as a backup source to the hydro system. However, in the months and years to come, we will remain committed to moving forward together with all Yukon residents to ensure our clean power future balances environmental and fiscal responsibility.
We know Yukoners are concerned about the environment and with the micro-generation project the Government of Yukon is taking another step toward ensuring affordable power for Yukoners while maintaining our focus on environmental protection.
Scott Kent
Yukon Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources