Pelly Crossing Electrification Project

Pelly Crossing, Yukon - Update 1992 Study

SPONSOR(s) - The Pembina Institute, Selkirk First Nation (SFN), Yukon Territorial Government (YTG), Yukon Electric Company Ltd. (YECL), Green Empowerment and the EnerGreen Foundation.

THE PROJECT - Energreen participated in the updating of a feasibility study completed in 1992 to participate in funding the construction of the project. The project is situated in the Selkirk First Nation community of Pelly Crossing, located on the Klondike Highway between Whitehorse and Dawson City. Pelly Crossing is typical of northern remote native communities in that it has very high unemployment, is reliant on outside resources, has significant social problems, and would like to become self-sufficient. The project was essentially to replace the existing 700 KW diesel generators as the base supply with a wood (biomass) fired electrical generating station. There is potential to capture heat generated for a community district heating system.

YECL owns and operates the diesel plant with very little input from the community - the site operator is part-time and a non-resident. In 1991 the SFN approached the Pembina Institute, with the support of YTG and YECL, to evaluate options for replacing the diesel system with a community based renewable energy system. The YTG funded study (1992) recommended a wood fired system over other forms of renewable energy such as small hydro, wind, and photovoltaic. The anticipated total project cost was $1,750,000 (1995$). The criteria for selection included economics, reliability, environmental and cultural acceptability, and local "spin-off" development benefits. In addition, the study assessed energy conservation measures and demand reduction programs.

A key factor in the recommendation was the fact that there exists surrounding the community a virtual limitless supply of fire-killed spruce, and the SFN peoples are very adept at harvesting and handling wood fuels. The fuel requirements of the wood-fired electrical plant alone would provide gainful employment to the community, and eventually members of the community would be trained in the operation of the electrical plant.

The purpose of the reassessment will be to update critical parameters and assumptions of the 1992 study including amount of wood available for harvest, size of plant needed, economics in todays dollars, best technology available, operating subsidies required, capital grants available, feasibility of district heating, alignment with other SFN initiatives, etc. Following the conclusion of this assessment, a plan was developed to secure project funds for construction.

ORIGINAL STUDY UPDATING COST - $35,000 - This project supports the over-all community development program in Polocon being initiated by the Polocon People Power Electric Cooperative and the Yamog Renewable Energy Devt. Group, Inc.

ENERGREEN COMMITTMENT - "matching-grant" with YTG/YECL, up to a maximum of $12,000.

KEY DELIVERABLES AND TIMING - The original study updated by December 1999. The deliverables include:

  1. an updated technology assessment and selection
  2. a project business plan and preliminary financing prospectus
  3. quantification of eligible greenhouse gas emission reduction credits
  4. thorough understanding of, role definitions and buy-in of all key stakeholders
  5. clear understanding of project developer and related business arrangements


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