By: Gavin Asadit )*
The Indonesian government continues to accelerate its clean energy transition through concrete steps, including the construction of seven Waste-to-Energy Power Plants (PLTSa) targeted to begin in 2026. This strategic project, coordinated with Danantara Indonesia, aims not only to address the long-standing national waste problem but also to stimulate regional economic growth, supply reliable renewable energy, and restore the appeal of the tourism sector.
Within the framework of national energy policy, the government views PLTSa as a crucial instrument to solve three issues at once: urban waste accumulation, rising demand for clean energy, and the need to create a more orderly tourism environment. The government recognizes that tourism cannot flourish amid unmanaged waste that disrupts city aesthetics, harms ecosystems, and diminishes visitor comfort. Therefore, the 2026 PLTSa development has become a cross-sector priority involving stakeholders from both central and regional governments.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, stated that PLTSa construction is not merely an energy project but a major initiative to improve environmental quality and enhance tourism competitiveness. In his remarks, he emphasized that Indonesia is committed to beginning the construction of seven PLTSa facilities in 2026 through Danantara. Airlangga believes that cleaner cities will become more attractive to tourists, making PLTSa not only a waste management solution but also an investment in the image and comfort of Indonesia’s tourist destinations. He added that this development is aligned with the direction of President Prabowo Subianto, who aims for PLTSa facilities to be built in all provinces in the coming years. The President targets at least 33 PLTSa units to be operational by 2029, especially in regions facing severe waste challenges.
Institutionally, Danantara Indonesia serves as the main driver of the national PLTSa ecosystem. Managing Director of Investment at Danantara, Stefanus Ade Hadiwidjaja, stated that waste-to-energy projects present a major opportunity for Indonesia to maintain environmental sustainability while providing a consistent supply of clean energy. According to him, PLTSa success is impossible without strong collaboration. Stefanus stressed that this project can only move forward if central and regional governments, businesses, and communities work hand-in-hand to support the waste management and renewable energy ecosystem. He added that Danantara’s role is to orchestrate this inter-agency cooperation, ensure that PLN as the offtaker is ready to receive PLTSa energy, and encourage the creation of a systemic and measurable project model. He concluded by emphasizing that without a collaborative approach, long-term economic sustainability would not be achievable.
A strong commitment also comes from PT PLN (Persero), the entity responsible for absorbing all electricity generated by the PLTSa facilities. PLN President Director, Darmawan Prasodjo, affirmed that PLN is prepared to fulfill this strategic role. He stated that PLN not only acts as a buyer of electricity but also ensures that the national grid is ready to integrate energy from PLTSa. PLN continues to strengthen the electricity system, especially in regions prioritized for PLTSa development, including preparing transmission and distribution infrastructure so that each completed facility can be immediately connected and operate optimally. Darmawan stressed the importance of this integration to maintain energy supply stability and ensure that the project delivers value to the public.
From the perspective of long-term energy planning, PLN Executive Vice President for New and Renewable Energy, Daniel K. F. Tampubolon, explained that PLTSa has been included in the 2025–2034 Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) as one of the pillars of national bioenergy. He noted that this proves PLTSa development is not a temporary initiative but an integral part of Indonesia’s energy transition roadmap. Daniel highlighted that PLTSa success requires the right and low-risk investment scheme, including readiness to apply the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R) principles. Without 3R implementation, the quality of waste entering PLTSa could decline and affect energy conversion efficiency. He noted that lessons from earlier projects show the need for synergy between environmental and energy strategies. PLN plays a vital role in reducing investment risks and ensuring PLTSa operations run under mature and reliable conditions.
The government remains optimistic that the seven PLTSa units starting construction in 2026 will serve as an important milestone for Indonesia’s clean energy transition. Through these developments, Indonesia is not only advancing toward renewable energy independence but also creating more livable and attractive cities for tourists. With full support from the government, Danantara, PLN, and communities, this project is expected to become a symbol of Indonesia’s commitment to building a clean, healthy, and sustainable future.
*) The author is an observer of social and community issues.