Batam, Kepri (ANTARA) – Minister of Transmigration Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara supports the use of seawater processing technology to meet the water needs of data centers in Batam, Riau Islands, while simultaneously safeguarding the water supply for the local community.
“Investment must go hand-in-hand with responsibility. Water requirements for data centers must be properly addressed, including through SWRO,” Suryanagara said in a statement in Batam, Riau Islands, Friday.
According to him, Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) technology, which converts seawater into fresh water, offers a solution to meet data center operational needs without straining the community’s water supply drawn from reservoirs.
“With clear planning, we can meet the community’s needs while also making room for the growth of new industries,” he stated.
Suryanagara noted that this approach aligns with the efforts of the Batam Indonesia Free Zone Authority (BP Batam), which is encouraging data center operators to independently construct SWRO facilities.
Data from BP Batam as of September 2026 indicates there are 10 planned data center developments in Batam, with one already operational.
BP Batam projects that the construction of SWRO facilities in the Nongsa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and the Kabil industrial area could add approximately 750 liters per second to water production capacity during the initial phase over the next two to three years.
The capacity is planned to increase to around 1,000 liters per second in the subsequent phase to meet industrial demand without depleting the reservoir water supply intended for the public.
In addition to water needs, Suryanagara supports strengthening the electricity supply and supporting infrastructure through coordination among the government, BP Batam, energy providers, and business players.
Based on BP Batam’s mapping as of September 2026, the combined capacity – comprising operational data centers, investment commitments, and development plans – reaches 1.47 gigawatts (GW) of information technology (IT) capacity.
The capacity expansion requires energy infrastructure readiness to support the growth of the data center industry in Batam.
Suryanagara stated that Batam has the potential to become a global-scale data center hub, thanks to its strategic geographical location and its potential to attract further investment in the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors.
According to him, the opportunity must be supported by a reliable ecosystem, certainty regarding investment services, and a prepared workforce so that the local community can reap the benefits of the industry’s development.
“The presence of data centers is not merely about technology; it also represents an opportunity for the community to secure employment, acquire skills, and earn better incomes,” he said.
Previously, in May 2026, BP Batam facilitated a US$5 billion investment for the construction of an AI-based data center in the Nongsa area, covering a development site of around 30 hectares.
Suryanagara stated that the Transmigration Ministry is ready to support capacity building for the community, particularly the younger generation, enabling them to capitalize on the job opportunities and skill development arising from the growth of the digital economy.
He emphasized that investment development must benefit the local community through job creation, skill enhancement, and income growth.
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Translator: Aria Ananda, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Primayanti
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