Jan 30, 2026 | Posted by Abdul-Rahman Oladimeji
The town of Olds this week announced that Synapse Data Center Inc. has proposed a 1GW data center development. The campus, according to the company and filings with the Alberta government, would total ten 100MW buildings and some two million sq ft (185,805 sqm) of space.
The campus could see investments totaling CA$10 billion (US$7.3bn), though there were no details of how it would be funded. The first phase could be ready by mid-2026. The facility is set to be powered by a closed-cycle natural gas system and not connected to the local energy grid.
“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,” said Jason van Gaal, CEO of Synapse, “This collaboration allowed us to advance at the speed required by global technology timelines while leveraging a strategic location between Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer that provides unparalleled access to a skilled workforce and robust supply chains. By creating over 1,000 long-term, high-skilled technology jobs and contributing significantly to the local tax base, we are ensuring that the benefits of the global AI boom are felt directly here in Olds.”
