Batam Protest Erupts as Data Centers Replace Views, Worsening Water Crisis

On Indonesia's Batam Island, coastlines once renowned for ocean views and resorts are now being replaced by towering data centers. Built around immense demands for electricity and cooling, these facilities provide computing power for the global artificial intelligence (AI) industry. Amid the rapid expansion of these data centers, the island's municipal water system is facing unprecedented strain, with many residents reporting that even basic household water needs—such as bathing, washing vegetables, and cooking—have become extremely difficult. This water shortage has ultimately triggered large-scale protests.

Indonesia has become a global hotspot for data center investment due to its vast tropical rainforests and relatively low energy costs. Batam Island in particular, situated just a few hours' boat ride from the capital, Jakarta, and offering relatively open land policies, has attracted numerous international tech firms. To reduce operational costs, these companies have opted to build massive cooling systems on the island, drawing heavily on seawater or freshwater supplies. However, the island's water resources were already limited, relying primarily on groundwater and rainwater harvesting, and