Jakarta — The government continues to accelerate the development of renewable energy through Waste-to-Energy (WtE) power plants (PLTSa) as part of a public–private investment strategy to strengthen national energy security. Through the Danantara initiative, Indonesia is preparing to build seven PLTSa projects starting in 2026, which are projected to generate new economic opportunities, including green job creation and growth in supporting sectors.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto emphasized that PLTSa is one of the government’s priority agendas to speed up energy transformation while addressing waste problems in urban areas and tourism destinations. He stated that Indonesia is committed to developing PLTSa progressively, aligned with the plan to build seven plants in 2026.
“Through Danantara, Indonesia has committed to building PLTSa, with seven projects planned for construction in 2026,” Airlangga said.
He explained that the development of WtE facilities has economic impacts far beyond the energy sector, including improving the quality of national tourism ecosystems. Cleaner cities free from waste buildup will significantly boost the competitiveness of tourism destinations, especially those dependent on tourism revenue.
Airlangga added that this agenda is also a direct implementation of President Prabowo Subianto’s directive, which calls for the rapid construction of PLTSa across all provinces in the coming years. He noted that the target serves as a strong signal of the state’s commitment to creating a modern waste management system fully integrated with clean energy generation.
“President Prabowo Subianto targets that by 2029, a total of 33 WtE power plants will be built across various Indonesian provinces, particularly in areas facing severe waste challenges,” he stated.
From an investment perspective, Danantara positions waste-to-energy projects as strategic opportunities that combine sustainable development goals with green economic growth. Stefanus Ade Hadiwidjaja, Managing Director of Investment at Danantara Indonesia, sees PLTSa as a long-term environmental solution and a crucial source of renewable energy for Indonesia’s future.
“Indonesia has an opportunity to preserve life through waste-to-energy. But no one can do it alone. This project is only possible through collaboration between the central government, local governments, businesses, and the community,” Stefanus said.
On the downstream side, electrical infrastructure readiness is a key factor for optimal PLTSa operations. PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo confirmed that PLN has prepared technical and operational measures to fully support this national program. He emphasized that PLN is ready to act as the electricity offtaker and ensure smooth integration of WtE-generated power into the national grid.
“PLN fully supports the government’s policy to accelerate PLTSa development. Our role is to ensure grid readiness, provide offtake certainty, and open collaboration opportunities with developers,” Darmawan said.
He added that PLN is strengthening the power system in priority PLTSa development areas by preparing reliable transmission and distribution infrastructure.
“This integration is crucial to maintaining supply stability and ensuring optimal utilization of energy generated from waste,” he noted.
With synergy between the government, private sector, and state-owned enterprises, the Danantara WtE project is expected to become an effective public–private investment model for strengthening national energy security while creating new local economic value chains. The government remains optimistic that the program will accelerate the energy sector’s transformation, generate environmentally friendly jobs, and help create cleaner, more livable cities for all.