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Energy and Technology Park Approved for Northeast Edmonton

June 09, 2010

Edmonton City Council has approved a plan to allow land in northeast Edmonton to be developed for an eco-industrial park, which would include light to medium petrochemical and manufacturing plants as well as research and development facilities.

The future development, called the Horsehill Energy and Technology Park, is located in the northeast to take advantage of the proximity to existing and proposed oil sand upgrader sites in Fort Saskatchewan and Strathcona County.

“Comprehensive studies have shown there is huge economic potential for refining the by-products that are left over from oil sand production into consumer and industrial products,” says George Matteotti, Director, Project and Business Liaison Office, Planning & Development. Currently, much of the “feedstock” produced by existing upgraders is exported elsewhere for production into marketable goods.

“By creating an energy and technology park,” says Matteotti, “it will enable an integrated cluster of industries to work together to refine chemicals into consumer and industrial market products.”

“The use of an 'eco-industrial development' model,” adds Matteotti, “means companies in the park will share utilities, use cleaner alternative energy sources, reduce water use and waste, preserve natural areas, and implement sustainable building practices.” Eco-industrial development is being used as the basis for industrial projects worldwide and is gaining popularity in North America.

The Horsehill site covers 4,857 hectares of land on the northwest side of Manning Drive, which right now contains mixed-use agriculture, limited rural residential and some institutional uses. The area for the energy and technology park does not include the highly fertile agricultural land south of Manning Drive.

Extensive studies were done in 2008 and 2009 to explore the opportunities for a petrochemical cluster in this area. Public meetings and open houses were held as well to inform people living and working in the area about the proposed development.

The now approved Area Structure Plan for the Horsehill Energy and Technology Park will guide future land uses and identify the needed infrastructure, utilities, major roadways, transit, parks, natural areas, and trails. It is anticipated that development will occur over the next 40 years.