Batam data center expansion sparks water and energy concerns

The rapid expansion of data centers in Batam, Riau Islands, has sparked concerns regarding water and energy security. Following viral footage showing the drying of the Nongsa Reservoir, questions have been raised about whether data center operations are depleting local water supplies. BP Batam has denied these claims, attributing the reservoir's depletion to the dry season.

Data center water requirements are estimated at approximately 1,000 liters per second. To address this, some operators are considering Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) desalination technology. However, building a desalination plant with a 1,000 Lps capacity is estimated to cost around Rp1 trillion. Kadin Kepri has warned that desalination produces high-salinity brine that could disrupt marine ecosystems, suggesting rainwater harvesting or domestic wastewater recycling as cheaper alternatives.

In terms of energy, the projected capacity for Batam's data centers is 2,000 MW, with Nongsa Digital Park alone expected to require 1,200–1,500 MW by 2032. This massive demand could increase reliance on fossil fuels and strain power grids. Activists and industry observers are calling for a moratorium on further development until the environmental and social impacts on Batam's limited resources are fully assessed.