Data centers and water tensions in IndonesiaCEFR A2
21 Apr 2026
Adapted from Mong Palatino, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Lisa Shauma, Unsplash
As of April 2026 Indonesia had 170 data centers. Experts say generative AI could add USD 243.5 billion in economic capacity, about 18 percent of Indonesia's 2022 GDP.
Data centers need electricity and lots of water for cooling. This raises worries in places such as Batam, where residents reported shortages and held protests in September and December 2024. Authorities said a "technical glitch" affected water distribution. Policymakers and companies must balance digital growth with protecting local water supplies.
Difficult words
- data center — A building that stores and runs computer serversdata centers
- economic capacity — Amount of goods and services a country can make
- cooling — The process of making something cold or cool
- shortage — When there is not enough of something people needshortages
- protest — A public meeting to show disagreement or angerprotests
- policymaker — A person who makes rules or government decisionsPolicymakers
- technical glitch — A small unexpected problem with machines or systems
- water supply — The available water for a town or areawater supplies
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can data centers cause water problems in a town?
- What should policymakers and companies do to protect local water supplies?
- Would you join a protest if water was scarce in your town? Why or why not?
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