In brief
In Batam, Indonesia, a wave of protests has erupted as residents accuse booming data‑centre developments of draining freshwater supplies. Over 300 locals rallied in front of the Nongsa Digital Park, demanding that the new tech hubs turn to desalination instead of tapping reservoirs. Authorities say drought and a historic El Nino are to blame, but the protests have highlighted a global trend of AI infrastructure clashing with community needs. Data‑centres in the region could soon consume enough water to shut down an entire small town. Residents urge officials to prioritise local water before building more servers.
The Spark
At a protest that drew roughly 300 residents, Batam locals marched in front of the Nongsa Digital Park with plastic bottles, chanting “Water! Water!” after months of tap failure. They say the new data‑centres are the culprits, pulling precious freshwater away from homes, gardens and farms.
Data‑Centres Lately Popular
Batam’s proximity to Singapore and its low operating costs make it a favourite for companies looking to build AI hubs. Six data‑centres already sit in Nongsa and an extra six await approval. Estimates show the island could need more than 1,100MW of power by 2030—enough to light almost a million homes.
Water Concerns
The island’s freshwater comes from six reservoirs that are heavily dependent on rainfall. A historic El Nino has cut rainfall, and the Nongsa reservoir now threatens to dry up in months if no rain falls. Local water companies are exploring cloud‑seeding and other measures, but no firm answer has been given about whether the data‑centres contribute to the shortage.
The Global Angle
Around the world, from the US to the UK to Australia, tech giants are flooding the market with new data‑centres. They consume huge amounts of water for cooling and electricity, raising alarms about resource strain. In Batam, residents are on the front line of that debate, demanding transparency and better regulation.
What Happens Next?
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has ordered any new data‑centres to build their own desalination plants, reducing reliance on local reservoirs. Yet the residents of Bakau Serip, Bakau, and other villages fear they are still the ones paying the price. They call for sharper limits on water and energy use and for authorities to listen before approving more mega‑projects.
