Jakarta (ANTARA) -
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono has stressed the importance of evaluating environmental impacts when constructing data centers.
"[Data centers] require large amounts of water. Their establishment must ensure careful calculation of environmental impacts," Yudhoyono remarked on Thursday.
He reminded stakeholders that this principle applies to all industries, including the digital sector.
The minister noted that data centers worldwide, even in developed nations, raise environmental concerns regarding high energy and water demand, underscoring the need to avoid disadvantaging nearby communities.
Yudhoyono stated that Indonesia must secure sufficient water supplies to meet the demands of both expanding industries and its growing population.
"We must ensure that our future digital transformation, including the digital economy and finance, which will be central to Indonesia's economy over the next 10 to 20 years, does not create new challenges in water availability. Water must be allocated fairly for people, rice fields, plantations, livestock, and industry," he emphasized.
Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid also stressed that artificial intelligence data center development in Indonesia must account for energy and water resources so community needs are not compromised.
Determining the balance between AI computing demands and resource availability requires cross-sector coordination before issuing construction permits, according to Hafid.
To prepare, her ministry is mapping out computing needs, internet user numbers, and locations with adequate connectivity.
Hafid added that demand for data centers in Indonesia is growing as geopolitical developments prompt more global companies to establish a presence and invest in the country.
However, she emphasized that data center development must be carefully planned to prevent overcapacity and ensure supply remains aligned with actual demand.
Translator: Suharsana Aji C, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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