Low water at Mayo Lake lowers power generation for Yukon Energy

Yukon Energy is running one of its LiquefiedNatural Gas (LNG) generators around the clock,to help compensate for reduced power production at the Mayo B dam.

Low waterin Mayo Lake is hampering the dam's ability to produce its normal 10 megawatts of electricity, according to Janet Patterson,manager of communications for Yukon Energy. Shesays low water levels areprobably due to a lower snow pack, and less rainfall last summer.

"We don't have the water that we normallyhave at this time of year, to use forgeneration," she said.

Right now, the Mayo B hydrofacility is only generating around five to six megawatts.

Patterson says in the winter, the Whitehorse hydro damproduces 25megawatts, down from the 40 megawatts typicalduring summer months.

Yukon Energy also draws power from its Aishihikdam.

"AtAishihik, we can generate up to 37 megawatts, and then Mayo typically we can generate about ten megawatts in the winter. So because we are losing a fair chunk of what we can normally generate in Mayo, that's why we are having to resort to thermal [LNG]."

Right now, Yukon Energy is only running one of twoLNG generators at its Whitehorse facility. Those generators have been operational since 2015, but are only used occasionally to supplement hydro power.

Patterson says Yukon Energy is not currently using any diesel generators, but may have to if temperatures drop and consumption goes up significantly.