A data centre is a secure, purpose-built facility that houses computer servers and networking equipment used to store, process, and transmit digital information. Data centres support services such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence tools, online platforms, telecommunications, and digital records.

A Combined Cycle Power Plant is a highly efficient way to generate electricity by using two energy cycles instead of one. First, a gas turbine burns natural gas to produce electricity. Then, instead of wasting the heat from that process, the plant captures it to produce steam that powers a second turbine, generating even more electricity. By reusing heat that would otherwise be lost, combined cycle plants produce more power from the same fuel, resulting in higher efficiency, lower emissions, and reduced fuel costs compared to traditional power plants. Watch a video here to learn more.

The Government of Alberta is actively supporting digital infrastructure as part of a broader economic diversification and technology strategy. This includes attracting data centres to Alberta due to factors such as power availability, climate, and a business-friendly regulatory environment. Globally, AI Data Centre growth is expected to be approximately 33% over each of the next 5 years, equating to hundreds of billions of dollars in annual investment. Driving this demand is the growing integration of artificial intelligence into our economies in addition to ‘data sovereignty’ pushes by national governments, including Canada, to house critical data within their borders.

Approvals for Data Centres are shared across jurisdictions:

• Alberta Utilities Commission – power generation, transmission, and grid connections.

• Government of Alberta – electricity policy, water licensing, and environmental regulation.

• Town of Olds – considers zoning, development permits, building permits, and local servicing.

The data center and natural gas plant will operate independently and are not planned to connect to the public electricity grid at this time.

Electricity generation and grid reliability are regulated at the provincial level, not by the Town. Large power users are reviewed through provincial processes to ensure grid stability and reliability.

The Government of Alberta has stated that protecting electricity reliability and affordability for Albertans is a priority, and that data centres that do not connect to the grid will be given higher priority. All Data Centre developers the Town has communicated with propose significant natural gas power generation to offset or eliminate the need to connect to the electrical grid for computing processes.

Water use varies significantly depending on the cooling technology used. Many new data centres rely on air-based or low-water cooling systems, such as closed systems, as water conservation is a real concern that must be addressed. Synapse Data Center and Natural Gas plant will both use closed loops systems reducing water consumption by 99%+ compared to traditional data centers and natural gas plants. In fact the data center and natural gas plant should use less water each day then the people operating the facilities.

The project is expected to use about 20 m³ of water per day for on-site staff, with a similar amount associated with the natural gas plant. The data center itself is not expected to use water on a daily basis.

Yes, the Town of Olds is a member of the Mountain View Regional Water Services Commission, which draws water from the Red Deer River. The commission currently holds an annual water license for over 9 million cubic meters of water and only uses about half of that allocation. It is anticipated Synapse data centre will use <1% to the Town’s current monthly water usage.

The cooling system uses a closed loop that uses Glycol to prevent freezing of the water. Glycol will be handled and disposed of according to manufacturer and provincial environmental rules, and is reviewed as part of the permitting process.

The project will fully comply with offset distances from property lines as set by the municipality and the provincial noise and emission limits. To date, the Alberta government has not identified any health risks for residents when these regulations are followed.

While all industrial areas are located on the periphery of Town, reducing impact, data centres are still required, as part of the AUC approval process, to complete a Noise Impact Assessment and Air Quality Assessment. Municipal development approvals will also require an exterior lighting plan that mitigates visual impacts on adjacent neighbours.

A Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) will be conducted during the development and permitting process to address construction traffic.

Yes. Data centres are designed with multiple layers of fire prevention and suppression built into the facility. The Olds Fire Department is trained and equipped to respond to industrial and commercial fires and already plans for facilities with specialized risks. Water availability, access, and emergency response requirements are reviewed as part of the development and permitting process, and any additional site-specific fire protection measures are the developer’s responsibility.

Benefits to the Town include:

• Construction-phase economic activity

• Permanent job creation

• Increased revenue to fund public services

• Alignment with broader provincial and national economic development goals

• Multiplier effect (attracting supporting industries)

Like other large industrial developments, potential concerns can include: power demand (regulated provincially), water use (licensed provincially), noise and visual impacts (managed municipally), and infrastructure impacts such as roads and servicing (reviewed through development approvals with costs borne by developers). Each risk is managed by the level of government with the corresponding regulatory authority.

You have until February 12th, 2026 to raise any concerns or provide feedback about the project as shared in the AUC kit.

The expected timeline for completion is 12–18 months to receive all required permits. Provincial permits can take approximately 4–9 months to obtain.

You can access the full Project Information Package here.

The positions will span a wide range of functions, from entry-level to experience professionals, including:

• IT and network engineers
• Security technicians
• Data center technicians
• Facilities technicians
• Electricians
• Refrigeration Mechanics
• Project management
• Administrative and support roles

Most of these jobs will be on-site and not remote.

Hiring will take place in phases. Some roles will open during the construction and setup period, while others will be added as operations ramp up. More detailed timelines will be shared as the project progresses.

We welcome applications from a wide range of candidates. Each position has its own qualifications and requirements, so interested applicants should review the details of individual roles as they are posted. Working in a data center environment requires strong attention to detail, the ability to follow defined procedures, and a security-first mindset in every role. We will be seeking individuals who demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to operating safely and reliably while contributing to a high-performance, team-oriented environment.

We believe strongly in hiring motivated talent at all stages of their careers, including candidates who may be new to the industry. With our rigorous training and development programs, we focus on hiring potential and providing the skills, certifications, and mentorship needed to succeed and grow within our organization.

Application details will be posted on our careers page and shared through local employment centers, colleges and partners. We encourage candidates to monitor official announcements for updates.