Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia has significant potential to become an important player in the AI-powered data center industry. However, realizing this opportunity will depend heavily on the country’s ability to manage and utilize renewable energy resources efficiently and sustainably.
Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie made the remarks during The 12th Indonesia EBTKE ConEX New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation 2026 at JIEXPO Kemayoran, Jakarta, on September 3, 2026.
According to Stella, the rise of AI is no longer solely a matter of digital technology. It has increasingly become a factor influencing economic growth, national sovereignty, resilience, and global security.
Although Indonesia still faces challenges in developing its AI capabilities, Stella said this should not prevent the country from taking a strategic role in the rapidly expanding industry.
“AI development cannot be separated from data centers because AI requires algorithms, data, and computing power, while computing power operates within data centers,” Stella said.
AI Data Centers Face Rising Energy Demand
The rapid growth of AI is expected to significantly increase demand for computing infrastructure and energy. Electricity consumption from AI-powered data centers is projected to surge from approximately 155 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2025 to 465 TWh by 2030.
The projected increase highlights how closely AI expansion is tied to access to large-scale and sustainable energy supplies. For Indonesia, this growing demand could present a strategic opportunity.
With its substantial renewable energy potential, Indonesia could provide the energy foundation needed to support data center development while strengthening its position in the global digital economy.
“If we manage our renewable energy resources properly, we can become a player in a world increasingly dominated by AI,” Stella said.
Land, Water and Energy as Strategic Assets
Stella noted that Indonesia has several fundamental advantages for developing its data center industry. In addition to energy resources, the country has access to land and water supplies that are essential for data center operations.
She argued that limitations in technology and financing should not necessarily become the main obstacles. As demand for data center capacity is global, companies seeking additional computing infrastructure could bring both technology and investment into Indonesia.
However, one factor will be particularly critical: the availability of high-quality talent.
Indonesia cannot rely solely on land, energy, and infrastructure. It must also ensure that it has skilled human resources capable of operating, developing, and mastering the technologies underpinning the data center and AI industries.
“Human resource development is one of the key factors. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology has a strategic role in preparing the talent required by industry through higher education, while also strengthening national technological capabilities,” Stella said.
Universities Urged to Prepare AI Talent
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology is encouraging stakeholders to capitalize on the growth of AI and the data center industry through a coordinated national effort.
This effort needs to integrate multiple areas, ranging from energy availability and infrastructure development to technological innovation and human capital development.
Universities have a strategic role to play in this agenda. Beyond producing skilled graduates, higher education institutions are expected to contribute to research and technological development that can strengthen Indonesia’s national capabilities.
Developing talent is becoming increasingly important as competition in the AI industry is global. Countries capable of offering competitive energy alongside highly skilled professionals will have a greater opportunity to attract investment and participate in the global AI value chain.
The ministry is therefore continuing to develop strategies to strengthen the contribution of higher education institutions in preparing the human resources and technologies needed to support Indonesia’s digital transformation.
Ultimately, Indonesia’s opportunity in the AI-powered data center industry will not be determined solely by the abundance of its natural resources. The ability to integrate renewable energy, digital infrastructure, investment, technology, research, and talent will determine whether Indonesia remains an AI market or emerges as a meaningful player in the global digital economy.
Conclusion
Indonesia has a strong opportunity to become a key player in the AI-driven data center industry. Turning that potential into reality will require the strategic integration of renewable energy, digital infrastructure, investment, research, technology, and skilled talent to build a competitive and sustainable AI ecosystem.
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