PUBLIC UPDATES
NOTICE: Haeckel Hill Access Road is closed to the general public
LAST UPDATE: JUNE 28 @ 8AM
*We will be publishing public updates regularly to share important information. Please check back here to get the latest news.
Project Overview
From our site at the top of Haeckel Hill or Thäy Täw, the Haeckel Hill Wind Project is a new renewable energy initiative using the latest in wind turbine technology while also expanding the Yukon's role in cold climate renewable energy research and innovation. The turbines will provide reliable clean energy during the winter when Yukoners need it most.
650 homes per year x 20 years = reduction of 100,000 tonnes greenhouse gas emissions
Powering 650 Yukon homes per year for the next 20 years can prevent 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. This is comparable to:
2,500 gas-burning cars off the road for 10 years
Burning 40 million litres of diesel fossil fuel
“This project is an investment in the things we hold close to our hearts: the health of our lands, the wellbeing of our Elders, citizens and youth, and the responsible stewardship of our resources. This is the land of our ancestors. And now, we are the caretakers who hold it in trust and ensure that generations to come will live and thrive and benefit from this land." —CHIEF DORIS BILL
Public Road Closures: Safety First
IF WE CAN BUILD IT SAFELY, WE CAN BUILD IT QUICKLY!
Over the next two years, there will be periodic road closures in the Haeckel Hill area as we build the wind turbine project. Along with the wind turbine components, heavy machinery such as excavators, dump trucks, graders, and concrete trucks will be brought into the area to improve road conditions during this time. We understand the inconvenience that road closures may impose on the local community, and we are asking for the public’s partnership and support during this time to keep the area safe.
QUESTIONS? CONCERNS?
Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 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.
Project Map
Project Timeline
Construction of the project will be carried out over the next two years. The project is expected to be completed in Fall 2023 and the turbines should be generating electricity by Winter 2023.
2022
Haeckel Hill Access Road will have periodic closures for road upgrades and the transport of machinery and heavy equipment
Installation of turbine foundations
Construction of new electrical infrastructure and grid upgrades
2023
Haeckel Hill Access Road will have periodic closures for road upgrades and the transport of machinery and heavy equipment
Old turbine decommissioned and removed
Installation of four new turbines
Connection and testing of new electrical infrastructure
Commissioning of wind turbines
Construction expected to be complete by Winter 2023
Advanced Turbine Technology
Four new turbines with the most advanced cold climate and wind energy technology will be installed, replacing the old one currently on the site.
LONGER BLADES
The blades on the new turbines are 30% longer. This increase will create 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 will be increased by approx. three stories, from 37m to 46m tall.
POWERFUL GENERATORS
New wind turbines will be equipped with more powerful generators to maximize the amount of energy created by each turbine. The new turbines are equipped with 1000 kW (1mW) generators, compared to the previous models which were 600kW.
FAQ
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW?
During the next two years of construction, for the safety of all we ask that the public avoid using the access road and the area around the construction site. Once the project is complete, the road upgrades will improve public access to Haeckel Hill.
HOW WILL THIS PROJECT HELP CLIMATE CHANGE?
There will be less dependence on diesel generators as the turbines will produce the equivalent energy of almost 40 million litres of fossil fuel in their lifetime. With the introduction of this project, we 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 Louis Smith, the mountain where the turbines are located is called Thäy T’äw in Southern Tutchone. Thäy T’äw means “Eagle Nest Mountain”, where Kwanlin Dün believes 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 AND FINANCING THIS PROJECT?
This project is managed by Eagle Hill Energy Partnership, a project of Kwanlin Dün First Nation’s development corporation, Chu Níikwän. There is additional funding from the federal and territorial governments.
Thank you again for your cooperation as we work to build cleaner energy alternatives for the Yukon. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us any time.
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada
