DayOne will build seawater treatment infrastructure as Batam’s digital economy demands more water.

Batam’s growing data center industry is creating a new infrastructure challenge: how to meet the sector’s substantial water needs while developing alternative sources of freshwater.

DayOne Commits Rp180 Billion for SWRO Plant
Singapore-backed digital infrastructure company DayOne has committed to building a seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plant worth around Rp180 billion, or approximately SGD 14 million, to support its data center operations in Batam. BP Batam Chairman Amsakar Achmad said approval for the development was tied to DayOne providing its own desalination infrastructure because data centers require substantial freshwater, particularly for cooling systems.

Seawater Will Be Converted Into Freshwater
SWRO technology removes salt and other dissolved substances from seawater to produce freshwater suitable for operational use. Amsakar said DayOne had accepted the requirement and that Batam authorities would support the project through the necessary permitting process. Once completed, the facility is expected to be handed over to BP Batam for management, creating a longer-term infrastructure asset rather than remaining solely under private control.

Surplus Water Could Benefit Local Communities
The desalination project could eventually provide benefits beyond the data center itself. BP Batam said that if the SWRO plant produces more freshwater than DayOne requires, the surplus could potentially be distributed for local community needs. Amsakar noted that financing a Rp180 billion desalination facility directly would be challenging for BP Batam, making private investment a possible way to expand local water capacity while supporting industrial growth.

Other Data Centers Consider Similar Facilities
DayOne may not be the only developer adopting seawater desalination in Batam. PT Equator Gate System Batam (EGSB) has also started planning an SWRO facility for its data center development in Teluk Mata Ikan, Nongsa. The move comes as Batam rapidly expands its digital infrastructure sector, with BP Batam reporting more than Rp120 trillion in data center investment across nine projects by mid-2026.

High Maintenance Costs Require Careful Study
Despite its potential, BP Batam cautioned that desalination is not a simple solution because SWRO plants involve significant maintenance and operating costs. BP Batam said a clear feasibility study will be necessary before the project moves forward, particularly given the significant maintenance costs involved. The approach could become increasingly important as analysts warn that Batam’s growing data center industry may face greater competition for freshwater unless alternative sources are developed.

The Rp180 billion SWRO commitment shows how Batam is beginning to connect digital investment with the infrastructure needed to sustain it. For Indonesians, the project could reduce competition between industrial facilities and households for freshwater while creating new public water capacity. For Singaporean investors and technology companies, stronger utility planning could make nearby Batam a more sustainable and competitive alternative within Southeast Asia’s rapidly expanding data center market.

Sources: EN Antara (2026) , Pantau (2026)

Keywords: Batam Data Center, DayOne Batam, Seawater Desalination Batam, SWRO Batam, Batam Water Supply, Digital Infrastructure Batam