Jakarta, INTI - The government is planning to develop a Waste-to-Energy (WtE) facility, also known as a Refuse-Derived Fuel Power Plant (PSEL), in Makassar. This initiative follows the signing of a cooperation agreement between the South Sulawesi Provincial Government and the administrations of Makassar City, Gowa Regency, and Maros Regency.
“With waste generation in the Greater Makassar area reaching nearly 2,000 tons per day, the waste-to-energy approach offers an effective solution to reduce the burden on landfills while simultaneously generating clean energy,” said Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq in a statement on Monday, April 6, 2026.
He emphasized that the development of the PSEL facility is a strategic step to address the increasingly urgent issue of urban waste. Accelerating the project is also seen as part of a broader transformation of Indonesia’s waste management system toward a more modern, integrated, and sustainable model.
“The government is also targeting the elimination of open dumping practices at all landfills by 2026, considering that around 66 percent of landfills in Indonesia still rely on this method,” he added.
Makassar has been identified as a priority for modern waste management infrastructure, as the Tamangapa landfill is currently over capacity and still operates using an open dumping system.
According to data from the Ministry of Environment in 2025, waste generation in Makassar reaches 1,644 tons per day, originating from Makassar City (1,034 tons/day), Gowa Regency (403 tons/day), and Maros Regency (207 tons/day).
Hanif explained that the planned PSEL facility will process 1,000 tons of waste per day, consisting of 800 tons from Makassar, 150 tons from Gowa, and 50 tons from Maros.
Meanwhile, South Sulawesi Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman stated that the provincial government is ready to provide land for the project.
“We are fully prepared to collaborate at the provincial and municipal levels, including strengthening public education and fostering a culture that supports modern waste management systems,” he said.
Expansion of WtE Projects Across Regions
Previously, the East Java Provincial Government announced its readiness to accelerate the development of WtE facilities in Surabaya and the Greater Malang area, following the signing of agreements with the Ministry of Environment.
Data from the ministry shows that the Greater Surabaya area, which includes Surabaya City, Gresik, Lamongan, and Sidoarjo, generates around 3,692 tons of waste per day. A PSEL facility is planned in Sumberejo, Pakal District, with a capacity to process 1,100 tons daily.
Meanwhile, the Greater Malang area, covering Malang City, Malang Regency, and Batu City, produces approximately 1,947 tons of waste per day. A PSEL facility will be built in Bunut Wetan Village, Pakis District, with a processing capacity of 1,038 tons per day.
These facilities are expected to significantly improve waste management efficiency while producing renewable electricity, supporting the national target of achieving 100 percent waste management by 2029.
“This province has one of the highest waste management rates in Indonesia, with more than 50 percent of waste already being properly handled. This is a remarkable achievement, and we hope it will continue to improve, especially with the development of PSEL facilities,” Hanif noted on Monday, March 30, 2026.
In addition, a memorandum of understanding and cooperation agreement has also been signed with the Central Java Provincial Government for the development of a PSEL facility in the Greater Semarang area. The region, which includes Semarang City and Kendal Regency, generates around 1,627 tons of waste per day, with the planned facility set to process approximately 1,100 tons daily.
The PSEL initiative is part of Presidential Regulation No. 109 of 2025 on urban waste management through renewable energy conversion.
In the initial phase, the government plans to develop similar facilities in Greater Bogor, Bekasi, Bali, and Yogyakarta. So far, Danantara Indonesia has announced selected partners for projects in Bekasi and Denpasar, including Wangneng Environment Co Ltd as the operator for the Bekasi plant and Zhejiang Weiming Environment Protection Co Ltd for the Denpasar facility.
Conclusion
The development of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) facilities in Makassar and other regions marks a significant step in Indonesia’s transition toward sustainable and modern waste management. By converting large volumes of waste into electricity, the government aims not only to reduce landfill dependency but also to support clean energy production. As similar projects expand nationwide, these initiatives are expected to play a crucial role in achieving Indonesia’s long-term environmental and waste management targets.
Read more: PT Surveyor Indonesia Strengthens ESG Initiatives with TICC Services