KDM Halts AI Data Centre Construction in Jatiluhur Due to Lack of Environmental Impact Assessment

Bandung (ANTARA) - West Java Governor Dedi Masting Mulyadi has halted the construction of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centre owned by BDX Data Centres in the Jatiluhur area, Purwakarta Regency, because it is proceeding without an Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) and Building Approval (PBG).

The suspension of the project, which features a massive electrical capacity of up to 640 Megawatts (MW) on an 8,000-square-metre site, was confirmed by KDM following a sudden inspection of the construction site on Monday (28/9).

“The PBG and AMDAL have not been issued. The project must not proceed. Halt the construction for now,” said Dedi Mulyadi in a statement in Bandung on Friday.

Dedi emphasised that the absence of these two crucial documents could trigger legal disputes and serious environmental impacts, particularly as the project, which began construction on 22 September 2026, has caused public concern regarding potential noise disturbances and threats of a water crisis for local farmers.

Regarding the licensing process in Purwakarta, the Head of the Purwakarta Regency Environmental Agency, Adi Komar, confirmed that the AMDAL and PBG are still being processed. “Kang Dedi Mulyadi inspected the field directly and has temporarily halted the project’s work until the permits are issued,” said Adi Komar.

In terms of resource consumption, technical data indicates that the BDX AI data centre is projected to consume up to 384 litres of water per second, equivalent to 33,000 cubic metres per day, when operating at full capacity. During the initial construction phase, water requirements are recorded at 6,000 cubic metres per day.

In response to such high water consumption, the West Java Provincial Government has requested that project consultants make technical study results transparent to the public and coordinate closely with Perum Jasa Tirta (PJT) II and PDAM Purwakarta to ensure that water supplies for agriculture and residents are not disrupted.

The West Java Provincial Government ensured that it will not obstruct the entry of large-scale digital infrastructure investment, but it requires consultants and the management of BDX Data Centres to complete all licensing requirements with the Purwakarta Regency Government in accordance with legal standards before construction activities can resume.