A company that wants to build a massive $10 billion data centre in Olds is trying again after the project was rejected by the Alberta Utilities Commission in March 2026. Synapse Real Estate Corp. has hired lobbyists with ties to the United Conservative Party to push for approval, sparking fresh debate in the town of about 10,000 people.
On July 17, 2026, Synapse registered with Crestview Strategy consultants Andrew Sennyah and Evan Menzies to lobby multiple Alberta government departments, including the premier’s office, energy and minerals, environment and protected areas, affordability and utilities, technology and innovation, the Alberta Electric System Operator and the Alberta Utilities Commission. Sennyah previously worked as a ministerial assistant to Alberta’s environment minister and as an outreach coordinator for the United Conservative Party. Menzies was director of communications for the UCP and the Wildrose Caucus before joining Crestview.
The Alberta Utilities Commission turned down Synapse’s first application in March 2026, citing serious problems with the proposal. The commission said public consultation started only 14 days before the application was submitted, the company did not adequately answer resident concerns, and environmental and noise impact assessments were incomplete. More than 1,000 people signed up as intervenors in the regulatory process, the highest number for any utility project in recent provincial history.
The proposed data centre would include a 1.4 gigawatt natural gas-fired power plant and 600 diesel backup generators. Once running, it would use as much electricity as the entire city of Edmonton. Synapse’s lobbying filing says it wants the government to encourage a fair and timely application of existing law and to quickly implement the province’s Bring Your Own Generation rules so the project can operate fully off-grid.
The renewed effort comes after Alberta passed Bill 8 in late 2025, creating a framework that lets data centre builders provide their own power. Olds residents have strongly opposed the project, raising concerns about noise, water use and strain on the local grid. The town’s mayor has expressed support for the economic benefits while acknowledging community worries.
