Eagle Hill Energy Limited Partnership
Powering Yukon’s Clean Energy Future
The Haeckel Hill-Thay T’äw Wind Energy Project achieved full commercial operation March 8, 2024, commencing 25 years of service supplying the Yukon grid with renewable wind energy. Thank you for your support as we contribute to a clean energy future.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
Turbine activity may vary due to wind conditions or routine maintenance. Please exercise caution when visiting the hill and adhere to all safety signage.
Eagle Hill Energy Limited Partnership (EHELP) owns and operates the Haeckel Hill-Thay T’äw Wind Energy Project. As one of Yukon’s Independent Power Producers, EHELP sells all renewable electricity generated from the project to Yukon Energy under a 25-year Electricity Purchase Agreement (EPA). EHELP is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chu Níikwän Limited Partnership (CNLP), the business arm of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) Government.
Project Overview
EHELP's four new wind turbines on Haeckel Hill-Thay T’äw overlooking Whitehorse, October 2023
The Haeckel Hill-Thay T’äw Wind Energy Project marks a historic accomplishment as the first 100% Indigenous-owned wind energy project in northern Canada. This new 4MW renewable energy initiative uses the latest in wind turbine technology, advancing Yukon’s role in cold-climate renewables research and innovation. Now operational, the four turbines on top of Haeckel Hill are set to provide 25 years of reliable clean energy during the winter when Yukoners need it most.
The turbines will produce enough clean energy to power over 650 Yukon homes per year for the next 25 years, offsetting an estimated 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
This is equivalent to:
Removing 2,500 gas cars from the roads for 10 years
Displacing 40 million litres of diesel fuel throughout the life of the project.
“Long ago, cultural knowledge shared by elders told of how Kwanlin Dün citizens have harvested energy from the land and water for the people’s needs for thousands of years. Based on those traditional values, Kwanlin Dün continues that important relationship with the land and water to create energy our communities use year-round but in a new and responsible way.” – Kwanlin Dün First Nation Chief Sean Smith (October 2023)
The Haeckel Hill-Thay T’äw Wind Energy Project is located approximately 6 km from downtown Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, at the top of Haeckel Hill. The turbines are within the municipal boundary of the City of Whitehorse and the Traditional Territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation.
Project Development History
Starting in 2015, the Haeckel Hill-Thay T’äw Wind Energy Project has progressed from concept to commercial operation over nine years. It builds on three decades of wind energy research and development on Haeckel Hill, which paved the way for EHELP’s historic 4.0 MW wind project. Explore the history and key development milestones to see our journey from vision to reality.
Advanced Turbine Technology
The new wind turbines mark a significant advancement in cold-climate technology. Equipped with state-of-the-art features, these turbines provide unparalleled efficiency and reliability in harsh weather conditions.
LONGER BLADES
The blades on the new turbines are 30% longer. This increase creates a 70% larger swept path, allowing us to harness more of the wind’s energy with each rotation.
ADVANCED DE-ICING TECHNOLOGY
Unlike the previous turbines, the new ones have black blades that reduce icing as well as in-blade heating systems that keep them warm and melt ice quickly if it does build up.
TALLER TURBINES
In order to provide access to higher, stronger, and more consistent airflow, the height of the turbines was increased by approx. three stories, from 37m to 46m tall.
POWERFUL GENERATORS
The new wind turbines are equipped with more powerful generators to maximize the amount of energy created by each turbine. The new turbines have 1000 kW (1MW) generators, compared to the previous models which were 600kW.
Project FAQ’s
HOW DOES THIS PROJECT HELP CLIMATE CHANGE?
This project reduces Yukon’s dependence on diesel generators for electricity, as the turbines will produce the clean energy equivalent of almost 40 million litres of fossil fuel in their lifetime. This project can potentially reduce Yukon’s greenhouse gas emissions by 100,000 tonnes.
WHY IS THE PROJECT IMPORTANT TO KWANLIN DÜN?
The wind turbines are located within Kwanlin Dün’s Traditional Territory. Building cleaner energy alternatives is a way to invest in the health and sustainability of the communities within this territory.
WHERE DOES THE NAME EAGLE HILL COME FROM?
According to Kwanlin Dün elder Louie Smith, the mountain where the turbines are located is called Thay T’äw, or “Golden Eagle Nest” in Southern Tutchone. Kwanlin Dün believe a giant eagle nested on the top of the mountain. This is significant to our project and connects back to the land and its history.
WHO IS BEHIND THIS PROJECT? HOW WAS IT FINANCED?
This project is managed by Eagle Hill Energy Limited Partnership (EHELP), a project of Kwanlin Dün First Nation’s development corporation, Chu Níikwän LP. The project was financed in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon.
Questions? Concerns?
If you have questions or concerns, please contact us any time. Depending on the nature of your request our team will connect you with the best person within seven business days.
This project was funded in part by the Government of Canada