AI Project Permitting Halt
West Java halts construction on massive AI data center until permits are secured.
Anonymous
Key Points
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The campus is planned as six buildings, with the first designed to deliver 120 MW in phases; its first contracted phase is expected to enter service in early 2027.
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BDx had secured 845 MVA of grid capacity from state utility PLN for the campus, according to The Jakarta Post.
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Mulyadi called for the permit process to be expedited, saying this would help prevent the project from being viewed as “problematic” and provide certainty for the investor.
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BDx said it was still confirming details of the governor’s order; another report said it was unclear whether construction had already stopped.
West Java's governor has ordered construction halted on a 640-megawatt AI data center campus being built by Singapore's BDx Data Centers in Jatiluhur. West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi cited missing environmental and building permits as the reason for the pause. He stressed the halt was not due to environmental violations, but rather to ensure the company secures all required approvals before moving forward.
The facility is planned as six buildings roughly five kilometers from the Jatiluhur Reservoir, which supplies irrigation water to millions. IESR, an energy think tank, estimates the campus could consume up to 33,000 cubic meters of water daily and 5.6 terawatt-hours of electricity annually. The group called for a full environmental and community impact review before construction resumes.
BDx's Six-Building Campus Targets 2027 Launch
The project is designed as six structures with the first phase delivering 120 megawatts. Indonesia Business Post reported that BDx had already secured 845 megavolt-amperes of grid capacity from state utility PLN. The company's first contracted phase is expected to begin operating in early 2027, marking a significant investment in Indonesia's AI infrastructure push.
Water and Power Demands Raise Environmental Questions
The data center's scale raises serious resource concerns. IESR estimates the facility will need 33,000 cubic meters of water daily and 5.6 terawatt-hours of electricity per year — enormous loads for a region dependent on the nearby Jatiluhur Reservoir. The think tank urged authorities to assess and publicly disclose impacts on local water supplies, electricity grids, and community needs before construction resumes.
Governor Seeks Fast-Track Permits to Avoid Investor Doubt
Dedi Mulyadi called for the permit process to be expedited, saying delays could make the project appear "problematic" and undermine investor confidence. West Java authorities have not yet stated a timeline for when permits might be approved. BDx said it was still confirming details of the governor's order, and reports remained unclear about whether all construction had already stopped on site.
Indonesia Balances Tech Growth With Resource Limits
The halt reflects Indonesia's push to become a regional tech hub while grappling with water scarcity and power constraints. Large data centers are energy-hungry and water-intensive, putting pressure on utilities and aquifers. West Java's pause on BDx signals a shift toward stricter environmental vetting of mega-projects before construction begins, rather than oversight after the fact.
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