The development of data centres and artificial intelligence (AI)\nrequires supporting infrastructure, particularly reliable energy and\nwater supplies. Danantara Investment Management (DIM) is preparing to\nannounce several strategic investments in the sector at the New Asia\nForum (NAF) 2026 in Bali on 3\u20134 December.<\/p>\n
DIM Managing Director of Investment Stefanus Ade Hadiwidjaja said\ninvestment in digital infrastructure and AI was a priority for\nstrengthening national technological capacity and competitiveness.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have several projects, including in data centres, that will be\nannounced at the New Asia Forum. We hope this will be an example of\nlarge-scale investment entering Indonesia,\u201d Stefanus said at a media\ncoffee morning at Wisma Danantara Indonesia in Jakarta on Thursday (22\nOctober 2026).<\/p>\n
According to Stefanus, technology investments should not be assessed\nsolely on their potential financial returns. They should also promote\ntechnology transfer, strengthen industrial capabilities and develop\nIndonesian human resources.<\/p>\n
He said the global growth of AI presented a major opportunity for\nIndonesia. However, investment in the sector still required careful\nassessment to ensure its economic benefits were matched by the readiness\nof national infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cAI is developing rapidly around the world. We are always prudent and\ncautious with every investment. At the same time, we cannot afford to\nmiss the major opportunities in AI,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
One issue DIM is focusing on is the energy and water required to\noperate large-scale data centres. Stefanus said digital infrastructure\ndevelopment needed to take the availability of both resources into\naccount so that it would not disrupt public needs or\nindustrialisation.<\/p>\n
DIM is therefore encouraging the adoption of the Bring Your Own\nEnergy (BYOE) principle, under which energy sources are provided to\nsupport data-centre operations. Development should also consider\nclosed-loop technology to reduce water consumption, as well as\nwater-treatment and desalination systems.<\/p>\n
DIM also assesses emissions, electricity-grid readiness, data\nsecurity and environmental impacts when considering investments. This\napproach is intended to ensure that digital infrastructure development\nkeeps pace with national development needs.<\/p>\n
Stefanus also provided updates on several strategic projects managed\nby DIM. In the waste-to-energy sector, three first-phase projects in\nBali, Bekasi and Bogor have entered the construction stage.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, eight partners in the second phase have received\nConditional Letters of Award (CLoAs) for eight sites covering 20\nregencies and municipalities. DIM is targeting phased ground-breakings\nfor these projects in early 2027.<\/p>\n
DIM and Denera have also appointed 34 financial institutions to a\nlenders\u2019 panel. Indicative financing interest from those institutions\nexceeds three times the programme\u2019s estimated funding requirement.<\/p>\n
In Hajj and umrah services, DIM completed its acquisition of Novotel\nThakher Makkah on 11 August 2026 and of a 4.4-hectare plot in the\nThakher area on 18 October 2026.<\/p>\n
The hotel has 1,461 rooms and can accommodate around 4,400 pilgrims.\nThe acquired land is planned for development as a complex of 13 hotel\ntowers, with about 4,560 rooms and capacity for up to 18,000 pilgrims,\nto be built in stages.<\/p>\n
In the protein sector, DIM has partnered with JBS Group through a\nplanned US$2.5 billion investment for a 25 per cent stake in a joint\nventure encompassing JBS operations in Australia and New Zealand. The\npartnership also opens the possibility of up to US$2.5 billion in\nadditional financing for investment and acquisitions in Indonesia and\nthe region.<\/p>\n
Stefanus said the investments were intended to deliver long-term\neconomic benefits, expand access to technology and strengthen national\nindustrial capabilities.<\/p>\n
Through the New Asia Forum 2026, DIM hopes to connect Indonesia\u2019s\ndevelopment needs with global investors, including those interested in\ndeveloping digital and AI infrastructure backed by adequate energy and\nresources and sound environmental management.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/danantara-prepares-ai-and-data-centre-investments-with-energy-needs-in-focus-1792677143", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }