Can’t cook or shower: Indonesians take aim at data centers

The Nongsa Digital Park (NDP) area, a hub for artificial intelligence (AI)-based data center and digital infrastructure development, in Batam, Riau Islands, Indonesia, on Nov. 3. | AFP-JIJI

AFP-Jiji

Nov 8, 2026

Batam, Indonesia – Cooking and bathing became difficult when taps ran dry in Batam, an Indonesian island where residents are protesting as data centers spring up to power the global artificial intelligence boom.

The area had suffered a “long drought” caused by low rainfall, the local water utility operator said, as a strong El Nino cycle exacerbates dry weather.

But, as in other countries, anger has been directed at the data centers, warehouse-like facilities that keep apps and artificial intelligence tools running, with water often used to cool their humming servers.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information,
quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

SUBSCRIBE NOW