Batam data centers to get seawater desalination plants: BP Batam

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2 hours ago

Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA) – The Batam Concession Agency (BP Batam) said data center developments will include seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plants to meet the facilities’ freshwater needs.

BP Batam Chairman Amsakar Achmad said data centers require substantial freshwater, particularly for cooling systems used in their operations.

“For DayOne, for example, their commitment to clean water is good. We approved their data center development on the condition they build an SWRO plant, and they agreed,” he said in Batam on Thursday.

He said the city government and BP Batam would support the project by facilitating the necessary permits.

DayOne is developing a large-scale data center campus in Batam backed by a Singapore-based digital infrastructure company.

SWRO plants convert seawater into freshwater by filtering out salt and other dissolved substances.

Amsakar said the SWRO plant built by the developer would eventually be handed over to BP Batam for management.

“DayOne is committed to building the plant and later handing it over to BP Batam. It is a substantial investment, worth about Rp180 billion (US$10.26 million),” he said.

Another data center developer, PT Equator Gate System Batam (EGSB), has also begun planning an SWRO plant to support its facility in Teluk Mata Ikan, Nongsa.

Amsakar said SWRO plants could benefit nearby communities if production exceeds the developers’ needs.

“The commitment is not merely to build it, but to eventually hand management to BP Batam. It is intended specifically for them, and they have requested separate treatment. From a business feasibility standpoint, that is fair,” he said.

If SWRO production exceeds data center demand, the surplus freshwater could potentially be used to meet local needs, Amsakar said.

“If that can be done, we could use excess water for local needs. Building an Rp180 billion plant ourselves would be difficult, so we want SWRO to become a new source of local freshwater,” he said.

Amsakar stressed that SWRO development and management require careful feasibility studies because plant maintenance costs are substantial.

“The feasibility study must be clear because maintenance costs are significant. When partners are willing to invest, we should accelerate the process. This should complement both our policies and community interests,” he said.