The Alberta Utilities Commission has denied Synapse Real Estate Corporation’s power plant application.
In the decision summary, the AUC noted that “while natural gas power plants are common in Alberta, this project is unprecedented in the combination of its size and proximity to surrounding homes.”
Synapse was applying “to construct and operate a 1,4000-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas-fired power plant with a significant amount of proposed backup diesel generation (1,800 MV) and co-located with a large-scale data centre” in the town of Olds.
The Town of Olds has acknowledged the AUC’s decision to deny Synapse’s proposed power generation project, according to Mayor Dan Daley. He says “I am really quite respectful of the process that took place and that we are accepting of the AUC’s decision. From the very beginning, we have stood and said if this cannot be done safely, responsibly, we don’t want it in our community and the AUC has given us that information and we’re going to move forward now.”
In a statement, the Town thanked “the many residents and community members who took time to learn about the proposal, ask questions and participate in the regulatory process.” The Town also notes that it has still not received a development permit application for the proposed data centre.
The AUC provided a summary which pointed out that it received statements of intent to participate (SIPs) in this public hearing process from about 1,500 interested parties in response to its notice and it granted standing from 919 interveners, including the Olds Residents for Responsible Development Group.
