Olds residents push back against proposed data centre and power plant

Residents in Olds, Alta., are organizing against a proposed 10building data centre complex and gasfired power plant planned for the town’s northeast side. The project, led by Synapse Real Estate Corp., has sparked debate over jobs, tax revenue and artificial intelligence investment versus concerns about pollution, noise, safety and pressure on local services. The Alberta government has been encouraging data centre development in the province, but the Olds proposal has drawn strong local opposition and scrutiny from the Alberta Utilities Commission. The regulator rejected the original application in March because of deficiencies, and a revised submission is still under review. Community members have formed advocacy groups, held public meetings and used social media to share information about the project and the hearing process. Some residents say the scale of the gas generation and its location near homes raise serious questions about the impact on the town’s character and livability.