BP Batam Chairman Amsakar Achmad said data centers require\nsubstantial freshwater, particularly for cooling systems used in their\noperations.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor DayOne, for example, their commitment to clean water is good. We\napproved their data center development on the condition they build an\nSWRO plant, and they agreed,\u201d he said in Batam on Thursday.<\/p>\n
He said the city government and BP Batam would support the project by\nfacilitating the necessary permits.<\/p>\n
DayOne is developing a large-scale data center campus in Batam backed\nby a Singapore-based digital infrastructure company.<\/p>\n
SWRO plants convert seawater into freshwater by filtering out salt\nand other dissolved substances.<\/p>\n
Amsakar said the SWRO plant built by the developer would eventually\nbe handed over to BP Batam for management.<\/p>\n
\u201cDayOne is committed to building the plant and later handing it over\nto BP Batam. It is a substantial investment, worth about Rp180 billion\n(US$10.26 million),\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Another data center developer, PT Equator Gate System Batam (EGSB),\nhas also begun planning an SWRO plant to support its facility in Teluk\nMata Ikan, Nongsa.<\/p>\n
Amsakar said SWRO plants could benefit nearby communities if\nproduction exceeds the developers\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe commitment is not merely to build it, but to eventually hand\nmanagement to BP Batam. It is intended specifically for them, and they\nhave requested separate treatment. From a business feasibility\nstandpoint, that is fair,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
If SWRO production exceeds data center demand, the surplus freshwater\ncould potentially be used to meet local needs, Amsakar said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf that can be done, we could use excess water for local needs.\nBuilding an Rp180 billion plant ourselves would be difficult, so we want\nSWRO to become a new source of local freshwater,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Amsakar stressed that SWRO development and management require careful\nfeasibility studies because plant maintenance costs are substantial.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe feasibility study must be clear because maintenance costs are\nsignificant. When partners are willing to invest, we should accelerate\nthe process. This should complement both our policies and community\ninterests,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Related news: Danantara eyes wider data center investment as demand\nsurges<\/p>\n
Related news: Batam data center industry posts 22 percent annual\ngrowth: Minister<\/p>\n
Translator: Amandine N, Rahmad Nasution<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/batam-data-centers-to-get-seawater-desalination-plants-bp-batam-1789015901", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }