The country’s largest data centre may be coming to Alberta.
Synapse Data Center recently announced plans for a one-gigawatt facility in Olds.
The project, which claims to be an order of magnitude bigger than existing data centres in Canada, represents a $10 billion private-sector investment over two years, which would include the creation of thousands of jobs, from construction to tech.
Jason van Gaal, chief executive officer of Synapse Data Center, says that Olds is “a strategic location between Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer that provides unparalleled access to a skilled workforce and robust supply chains.”
“Olds was the clear choice for this $10 billion investment because of the community’s proactive vision and the exceptional responsiveness of Invest Olds and the Town of Olds,” he remarked.
Sandra Blyth, Economic Development Manager for Invest Olds, notes how “Global technology investments move quickly.”
“Our role with Invest Olds is to support early-stage coordination, help advance project readiness efficiently, and ensure the right partners are at the table, while keeping transparency and community alignment at the centre of the process,” says Blyth.
The facility is proposed to be powered by a closed-cycle natural gas system designed to achieve low emissions. The water system, a closed-loop design, would only require a single fill with less than 1% of the Town’s daily water consumption.
“Olds is proud to be considered for what could become one of the most significant digital infrastructure investments in Canada,” commented Dan Daley, Mayor of Olds. “This is a major milestone for our community and will offer many wonderful benefits, from jobs to taxes.”
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