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ARTICLE · 25 AUGUST 2026

New Application, Same Old(s) Story: AUC Rejects Synapse Power Plant Project Without A Hearing

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On August 17, 2026, the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) issued Decision 30732-D01-2026 in which it denied Synapse Real Estate Corp.’s (Synapse) application to build and operate a natural gas power plant in Olds, Alberta. Unusually, the decision was made without a hearing.

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On August 17, 2026, the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) issued Decision 30732-D01-2026 in which it denied Synapse Real Estate Corp.’s (Synapse) application to build and operate a natural gas power plant in Olds, Alberta. Unusually, the decision was made without a hearing.

Synapse applied to the AUC for approval to construct and operate a natural gas power plant, designed to exclusively power a co-located mega data centre campus (i.e., it would not be connected to the provincial power grid). The AUC’s jurisdiction does not extend to the approval of data centres but does encompass power plants. Synapse therefore needed the AUC’s approval for the facilities required to power the data centre complex.

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