Indonesian government pushes for more waste-to-energy plants

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the development of waste-to-energy plants (PLTSa) across the country to tackle the simultaneous increase in waste volume and population growth.

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan underscored this commitment during an inspection of the Merah Putih PLTSa and the Refuse Derived Fuel Plant at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Treatment Site in Bekasi, West Java, on Wednesday.

He noted that relying solely on public education and awareness campaigns would not be enough to keep pace with the rapidly growing waste volume.

"For that reason, there is no other choice but to utilize technology," he explained.

To address this challenge, Hasan highlighted the government’s plan to consolidate three existing presidential regulations into a single comprehensive framework governing waste-to-energy initiatives.

The minister stressed the urgency of this effort, pointing out that despite the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 35 of 2018 -- mandating the development of PLTSa in 12 cities -- only two such plants are currently operational in Indonesia.

He identified these facilities as the Benowo PLTSa in Surabaya, East Java, and the Putri Cemplo PLTSa in Solo, Central Java.

He noted that with the regulations merged, investors keen on contributing to the development of a PLTSa would only need to secure a permit from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) before approaching the state-run electricity company PLN to initiate the project.

"Business actors will no longer need to deal with regional governments, regional representative councils, or the finance minister. They will only require a permit from the ESDM Ministry to sign a contract with PLN," he explained.

Hasan also revealed the government's plan to promote the conversion of waste into fuel for the cement and steel industries.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto, and Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung were also present during the inspection.