Energy corporation strat plans - Yukon vs. NWT

July 07, 2012

Both the Yukon and NWT have Crown-owned energy corps to produce most of the electrical energy in their territories.

Both Yukon Energy (YEC) and Northwest Territories Energy (NTE) have have similar sized customer bases (15,000 -20,000). Both companies are in the midst of regulatory proceedings to increase rates in the 6-7% range each year over the next 2 years. Both are regulated by territorial public utilities Boards. Both have agreements with ATCO entities for the distribution side of the business.

Both have strategic plans posted on their websites. A few observations on the plans:

• The power demand projections for Yukon increase to 473 GWh in 2012 to nearly 500 GWh in 2017. By contrast the NWT plan does not give energy projections—it shows rising GNP if the Gahcho Kue diamond mine starts in 2013, otherwise demand is expected to fall.
• YEC operates an isolated hydro grid. Whereas NTE has some hydro and mostly isolated diesel plants.
• Both mention and emphasize renewable energy.
• NTE mentions biomass and geothermal energy as areas it wants to pursue.
• Partnerships are mentioned by NT Energy where through Dezé Energy it has a joint venture between NT Energy and the Akaitcho Government and NWT Métis Nation, has been involved in environmental permitting processes for the Taltson Expansion Project. YEC mentions partnerships as well as a way to engage customers to meet future energy needs.

 

 

Commentary

Both documents by their nature are somewhat vague and general. The NT Energy plan is lame in that it does not provide demand projections.The YEC plan is more useful and sets out the strategic context more clearly.

It would be useful if the utilities could expound on the costs and benefits of the different energy supply choices.

Sources

• a)http://yukonenergy.ca/downloads/db/957_StratPlan2010_web.pdf



• b)http://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/publications/2012/energy/NTEC_Strat_Plan.pdf