Kluane First Nation marked a significant milestone with the one-year commemoration of its wind turbine, hailed as a major accomplishment by the chief. However, during a gathering of residents and dignitaries last week between Destruction Bay and Burwash Landing in Yukon, the towering 77-meter turbine was not operational, a situation that has persisted for the past month.
Chief Robert Dickson, when asked about the turbine’s inactivity after the event, indicated uncertainty about its current status and referred inquiries to ATCO. According to Jay Massie, ATCO Electric’s vice president of northern development and Indigenous relations, the turbine has been offline since August 15 due to ongoing upgrades to its protection system, essential for ensuring reliable and secure operation.
ATCO, in collaboration with Green Cat, the turbine’s operational contractor, opted to allow the turbine to “freewheel” during the celebration, indicating that it was spinning without generating power and not connected to the grid to maintain system integrity and personnel safety.
Owned by Kluane First Nation, the 900-kilowatt turbine, known as the Lhù’ààn Mân N’tsi (Kluane Lake Wind) Project, aims to reduce nearly half of the diesel consumption necessary to power the off-grid communities of Burwash Landing and Destruction Bay. The project, which commenced operation in the fall of 2024 following extensive planning, began demonstrating tangible results this year, notably during prolonged periods of generator shutdown and successful wind-generated power production.
ATCO anticipates the turbine will resume operations in early October following the completion of an interlock installation, a key safety measure to de-energize equipment during maintenance and unexpected events. Massie emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring personnel safety, power system integrity, and customer equipment protection.
The microgrid serving Burwash Landing and Destruction Bay has a power demand ranging from 350 to 400 kilowatts, with the turbine capable of supplying the entire community and even generating surplus electricity. Plans include a 500-kilowatt battery storage system to absorb excess power for seamless transitions between the turbine and diesel power generation in Destruction Bay based on wind conditions.
Discussions between ATCO and Kluane First Nation are ongoing to determine the optimal utilization of surplus power, fostering innovative ideas for future collaboration. The federal government’s total investment in the project amounts to $18.5 million, with the bulk of funding provided by the government and additional contributions from the territory.
The community celebrated the turbine’s significance with a festive event, including a community lunch and an engaging competition near Kluane Lake. Local elder Gùdia Mary Jane Johnson expressed her awe at the potential of wind power to reduce reliance on diesel generators, while Alyce Johnson highlighted the community’s technological advancement through a blend of Western and Indigenous knowledge, emphasizing the importance of sustainable resource utilization for future generations.
In a poignant moment beneath the turbine, Alyce Johnson reflected on the enduring power of the wind and its symbolic representation of energy abundance and cultural respect.
