Jakarta, INTI – Indonesia is currently facing an increasingly urgent waste crisis. National waste production reaches 53 million tons per year, while the accumulation at final disposal sites (TPA) has surpassed 1.7 billion tons. In response to this challenge, the government will build Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facilities, locally known as Pengolahan Sampah menjadi Energi Listrik (PSEL), starting in the Jabotabek area, which includes Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang, and Bekasi, followed by Yogyakarta and Bali. This program is promoted as a solution to reduce waste piles while generating electricity. Construction is scheduled to begin this year, with full support from relevant ministries. The goal is for priority regions to quickly benefit from this technology to reduce environmental burden and accelerate renewable energy adoption. The facility is expected to serve as a model for other regions in Indonesia.
Priority Areas and Facility Readiness
Deputy Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK), Diaz Hendropriyono, identified six regions as the initial priority for PSEL development due to their readiness and urgency. These areas are considered capable of meeting technical and administrative criteria, including at least five hectares of land with access to water, electricity, and main roads. “We have also identified which areas are priorities that can be promoted for PSEL construction,” Diaz said on Tuesday (Sept. 30).
Waste Supply Strategy
Diaz emphasized that a PSEL facility requires a minimum waste supply of 1,000 tons per day for optimal operation. For regions that have not yet met this capacity, such as Yogyakarta, the government will combine supplies from several districts, for example Sleman and Bantul, to reach the target. This approach is expected to ensure continuous energy production from waste without disrupting the local environment.
Support from Local Governments
Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) will provide full support to local governments at every stage of development. Two directorates general, the Directorate General of Regional Administration and the Directorate General of Regional Development, are tasked with ensuring all technical and administrative requirements are met. Tito added that local governments will now focus only on land provision, waste transport management, and inter-agency coordination, while PSEL operations are supported by Danantara and PLN.
Elimination of Tipping Fees for Acceleration
A key policy in this new scheme is the removal of tipping fees, which were previously charged to local governments for waste management at disposal sites. According to Tito, this policy will lighten the fiscal burden on local governments while speeding up PSEL implementation. All operational costs are now covered by the central government, allowing local governments to focus more on infrastructure support and coordination.
Conclusion:
The development of Waste-to-Energy facilities in Jabotabek represents a strategic government initiative to tackle the national waste crisis while promoting the use of renewable energy. With full ministry support and the elimination of tipping fees, this program is expected to serve as a model for other regions across Indonesia.
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