Nezar Patria: AI Infrastructure Must Save Energy, Help MSMEs and Farmers

JAKARTA, GARISBUMI.com – The growth of artificial intelligence (AI) brings greater demand for electricity and water. Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Nezar Patria emphasized that AI infrastructure development must pay attention to energy efficiency while providing real benefits for society, from MSMEs to farmers.

According to Nezar, increasing computing capacity and connectivity needs to go hand in hand with energy supply readiness. Its use must also be appropriate so that digital infrastructure investment can support productivity and public services.

"All the infrastructure, all the computing power that we have, will have less meaning or perhaps even meaningless if it is not adopted appropriately and efficiently," said Nezar at the BMP Digital Infrastructure Summit 2026 at the Thamrin Nine Ballroom, Central Jakarta, Monday (12/10/2026).

Electricity and Water Requirements for AI

Nezar explained that the development of AI increases the need for electricity for computing processes and water to support operational infrastructure. He said that one command or prompt on the generative AI platform requires around 0.24 to 3 watt-hours (Wh) of energy.

According to him, this figure shows the importance of ready energy infrastructure to support the growth of the national AI industry.

"Electricity and water are at the bottom of the AI full stack," he explained.

The government views digital infrastructure development through four main elements, namely computing, energy, connectivity and adoption. All four need to be developed in an integrated manner so that the capacity built can be utilized optimally.