Value Added Development
Upgraders, refineries and the petrochemical facilities play an essential role in attracting and retaining a highly skilled, educated workforce, while capturing more of the Hydrocarbon Value Chain. This value-added development is essential to the long-term sustainability of Alberta and will continue to ensure the province is positioned to maximize the full value of its energy resources.
In pursuing the full value of our non-renewable natural resources, the Government of Alberta will promote expansion of value-added resource development in the province as a priority to the long-term economic benefit of the province.
Value adding involves producing higher valued products from raw resources, rather than selling them at the first marketable point. The importance of value adding in Alberta is identified in a number of provincial policy documents.
1. Provincial Energy Strategy: shows how value adding provides for significant benefits to the province and Canada including wealth and job creation, economic diversification, hedging against future downturns and other benefits.
2. Responsible Actions Oil Sands Strategy: maps out the goals and objectives for Alberta in maximizing the long-term value of oil sands for all Albertans. The policy highlights that “…Alberta’s energy future will only be realized by balancing economic opportunities with environmental, social and infrastructure challenges. Alberta will optimize oil sands development and the full economic value for all Albertans while addressing environmental and social needs.”
3. Land Use Framework: Focuses on managing growth and sustaining Alberta’s economy while balancing environmental and social goals. The Framework identifies the need for short, medium and long-term transportation and utility corridors to support industrial growth and supports consolidating a number of critical land-use functions within a pre-defined area.
