Alberta Utilities Commission Rejects Power Plant for Olds, Alta., Data Centre Plan
Ottawa has pledged $2.3 billion for AI initiatives as communities question energy use, water demand and local benefits.
- The Alberta Utilities Commission denied an application from Synapse Real Estate Corp. to build a natural gas plant in Olds, Alta., intended to power a massive data centre complex.
- Facing fervent opposition from residents, the commission determined the project was too close to the surrounding community and that Synapse failed to justify the chosen location.
- Synapse had proposed a 10-building campus with 1.4 gigawatts of power, amid Ottawa's broader $2.3-billion plan for AI initiatives including $700-million to subsidize large-scale data centres.
- While Meta plans a $13-billion-plus Sturgeon Data Centre, communities such as Oakville, Ont., have introduced moratoriums to study the impacts of these facilities.
- The Alberta government is prioritizing projects that provide their own power to avoid overburdening the grid, as reporters Joe Castaldo and Joe Friesen prepare to answer reader questions on Thursday, Aug. 20.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Bowen Island Undercurrent
'Not suitable': Utilities commission rejects power plant for Olds, Alta., data centre
The Alberta Utilities Commission has denied an application to build a natural gas plant that would have powered a massive data centre complex in the small agricultural town of Olds, Alta. Synapse Real Estate Corp.
Global News
The Hamilton Spectator‘Not suitable’: Utilities commission rejects power plant for Olds, Alta., data centre
A setback for plans to build a massive data centre complex near Olds, Alta. after the Alberta Utilities Commission denied an application to build a huge natural gas power plant .
Red Deer Advocate
Today In BCOlds data centre location rejected by Alberta regulator
A $10 billion data centre in Olds has been rejected by regulators because the proposed site was too close to homes and businesses. Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) released its decision on Monday rejecting Synapse Real Estate Corp.’s application to build a 1.4 megawatt natural gas-fired power plant needed to provide electricity for an adjacent data centre. Another 1.8 megawatts could be produced by 600 diesel backup generators. “The commission…
What is happening with AI data centres in Canada, and how will it affect you? Ask us your questions
On Thursday, Aug. 20 at 1 p.m. ET, reporters Joe Castaldo and Joe Friesen will answer reader questions about big data centre projects across the country and the people who oppose them
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