Project Spotlight: Whitehorse LNG Power Plant

The Whitehorse LNG Power Plant is a backup natural gas generation facility in Yukon’s capital region. The plant helps stabilize the territory’s hydro-reliant grid during peak or emergency periods. This projects highlights a key example of Indigenous-owned generating assets and the role they play in northern Canada energy security and transition.

Whitehorse LNG Plant. Image sourced from Google Maps

Project Overview

The Whitehorse LNG Power Plant is a liquefied natural gas–fueled power generation facility located in Whitehorse, Yukon. Commissioned in 2015, the plant was developed by Yukon Energy Corporation to replace aging diesel generators and to provide a cleaner, more reliable backup power source for the territory’s hydro-dominated grid.

The facility consists of three LNG-fueled reciprocating engine generators capable of producing up to 13 megawatts of electricity, primarily during periods of peak demand, low hydro availability, or emergency outages.

It is located on the traditional territories of several Yukon First Nations, including the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, who were engaged in environmental and planning consultations.

This project is a notable case in northern energy transition efforts and demonstrates the role of LNG in supporting remote and isolated grids while reducing reliance on diesel.

Whitehorse LNG Plant aerial view. Image sourced from Google Maps.

Project Details

Location: Whitehorse, Yukon

Cost: $36 million

Sector: Power & Utilities - LNG Power Plant

Indigenous Partners: Kwanlin Dün First Nation

Industry Partner: Yukon Energy

Ownership: 50% Indigenous / 50% Yukon Energy

Status: Operational since 2015

Indigenous Ownership

The project is located in the Traditional Territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. In 2015, the Kwanlin Dün First Nation made a $21 million investment in the LNG project, acquiring a 50% stake through Chu Niikwan LP, the Nation's economic development arm.

Indigenous Energy Ownership Tracker

The Whitehorse Power Plant is just one of over 400 major Indigenous-owned power & utility infrastrucuture projects at various stages of development across Canada.

IEM is committed to providing transparency for Indigenous participation in Canada's energy and resource sectors. We developed the Indigenous Energy Ownership Tracker (IEOT), that is currently tracking and detailing over 480 Indigenous-owned projects.

By centralizing and visualizing ownership data and other project details, we help Indigenous communities, industry proponents, and policymakers:

• Identify where Indigenous equity is being deployed

• Benchmark successful ownership models

• Understand trends across regions and sectors

• Discover funding sources that get projects built

• Build partnerships based on evidence

• And so much more

  
  

The IEOT is the most comprehensive and up-to-date database of Indigenous-owned major projects across Canada's energy and resource sectors. 

🔗Discover the IEOT Tool Here: https://www.indigenousenergymonitor.ca/ieot

Stay Informed, Get Involved

Whether you’re an Indigenous economic development group looking to evaluate opportunities, or a project developer seeking Indigenous partners, IEM's transparency and data are essential.

🔗 Explore our solutions: www.indigenousenergymonitor.ca

📩 Contact us: info@indigenousenergymonitor.ca