Yukon power grid under ‘significant’ strain as deep freeze grips Western Canada

A skater’s face, tuque and balaclava are covered in frost from their breath as they make their way along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

WHITEHORSE — Bitter cold in the Yukon is straining the power grid and the territory’s energy minister says it may get worse as demand peaks and temperature records fall.

Environment Canada has issued cold weather alerts for southern Yukon, parts of the Northwest Territories and B.C., and for northern Prairies, warning of multiple days of “extreme” wind chills ranging from -20 in B.C. to -55 in Yukon.

Yukon Energy Minister Ted Laking says in a statement that power demand reached an “all-time record” Monday, topping 123 megawatts, while its system can only produce 140 megawatts in “ideal conditions.”

Laking says a liquefied natural gas plant went “briefly off-line” earlier this month, and had the Aishihik Hydro Facility also gone down, rolling blackouts could have been in store for Whitehorse.

He says it’s a “current reality” that has spurred him to direct the development of a “winter reliable energy plan” for the territory as a blast of Arctic air hangs over southern Yukon.

Four cold temperature records were broken in Yukon on Tuesday, including in Faro, where it dropped down to -52, more than six degrees colder than the -45.5 set on Dec. 22, 1980.

Environment Canada says the extreme cold should ease by Wednesday in the territories, although it will be further into the week before it warms slightly for the provinces.

Laking said in a statement that Yukon residents should be prepared with emergency kits in the event of blackouts.

“In the meantime, I ask for your continued patience and help by reducing electricity use during peak hours when possible,” Laking said in a statement. “These small actions ease pressure on the grid and help us avoid worse outcomes.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2025.