Jakarta, INTI - Plans to develop artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in Indonesia could place additional pressure on the availability of water and energy resources. Addressing this issue, environmental expert from the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), Prof. Joni Hermana, MScES, PhD, emphasized the importance of assessing the environmental impacts of data center expansion from the early planning stages.
Joni explained that AI data centers must operate continuously, 24 hours a day, to ensure uninterrupted services. In addition to requiring a stable electricity supply, these facilities also consume water to maintain optimal operating temperatures for their equipment.
“This means that the water and electricity supplies supporting this infrastructure must remain uninterrupted,” said Joni in Surabaya on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The Professor from ITS’s Department of Environmental Engineering noted that data center water consumption requires careful consideration, as these facilities are not the only sector dependent on water resources.
Amid growing demand from households, industries, and agriculture, additional water consumption for data center operations could intensify pressure on existing supplies. Joni also stressed that data center water requirements should not be assessed solely based on average annual water availability.
According to him, assessments must also account for seasonal fluctuations, particularly during the dry season, when public demand for water tends to increase. “The ratio of water demand to availability on Java Island has approached 0.4, indicating a vulnerable condition that could lead to a water crisis,” he explained.
The doctoral graduate of the University of Newcastle, United Kingdom, added that an imbalance between water supply and demand could directly affect communities if available resources are insufficient.
For this reason, Joni emphasized that water resources that appear to be available in nominal terms cannot necessarily be fully utilized, particularly when supplies decline during the dry season.
High Electricity Consumption Could Increase Carbon Emissions
Beyond the pressure on water resources, Joni noted that the expansion of AI data centers could also increase carbon emissions due to their substantial electricity consumption. He explained that environmental impact assessments should account for both direct and indirect emissions.
“This includes emissions from the power plants supplying electricity to these facilities, as well as emissions generated by supporting operational activities,” added the former ITS Rector for the 2015–2019 period.
Concluding his remarks, Joni stressed the need for comprehensive assessments involving various stakeholders before data center development proceeds further.
He said that economic considerations must be balanced with the capacity of available resources to support the facilities’ operational requirements. “We must not allow ourselves to become trapped by our own policies to the point of sacrificing public welfare,” he concluded.
These efforts are aligned with ITS’s commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation and Goal 13 on Climate Action.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s AI data center expansion must go hand in hand with responsible water and energy management. As demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow, comprehensive environmental assessments are essential to prevent resource shortages, reduce carbon emissions, and protect public welfare.
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