By: Alexander Royce*)
In a global dynamic that demands accelerated energy transformation, Indonesia is at a crucial juncture. Facing the challenges of climate change and fluctuating global energy prices, the government has a significant responsibility to ensure national energy security. One strategy being widely promoted is strengthening infrastructure, including electricity, gas, and waste management, as a foundation for energy self-sufficiency. These strategic steps are not merely idealistic, but rather concrete instruments for achieving independence and sustainability.
Recently, Danantara announced its plan to launch eight waste-to-power projects by the end of October 2025. This project is part of an ambitious plan to build 33 waste-to-energy power plants (PLTSa) in various cities. Danantara’s Executive Chairman, Rosan Roeslani, stated that converting waste to electricity can help address the national waste problem while strengthening the supply of green energy. He explained that every 1,000 tons of waste can produce around 15 megawatts of electricity, and Danantara is ready to support this with funding, technical feasibility, and collaboration with PLN as the electricity buyer.
Rosan also mentioned that the initial investment for a 1,000-ton capacity facility is approximately Rp 2 to 3 trillion, and that the government has eliminated tipping fees for regions to increase local incentives. With the support of simplified regulations, these projects are expected to begin soon in cities such as Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Bali, and Makassar.
Meanwhile, Hery Murahmanta, Director of Infrastructure and Technology at PGN (State Gas Company), emphasized that utilizing the gas network (jargas) is one of the keys to a realistic energy transition. He stated that PGN already manages more than 33,000 km of gas pipelines, LNG regasification facilities, and gas filling stations. In the Banten region, for example, PGN has built more than 15,000 jargas connections through the state budget and an additional 69,000 independent connections, serving residential, industrial, and commercial customers.
According to Hery, natural gas could be an effective alternative to reduce LPG imports and help achieve Asta Cita’s vision of energy self-sufficiency. However, for the expansion of the gas network to be truly optimal, support for accelerated licensing, economic incentives, and public outreach are highly desirable.
PGN has also set targets for new infrastructure development, such as the Tegal-Cilacap pipeline project, as well as network expansion to Eastern Indonesia. In its 2025 public report, Hery stated that PGN has allocated approximately US$29 million to the city gas project, with realization reaching more than 13,959 new connections by June 2025. An additional 590 km of pipeline is targeted to reach a total of 200,000 connections.
Meanwhile, in the renewable electricity sector, PLN has begun construction on a 92-megawatt floating solar power plant project in the Saguling Reservoir, West Java. PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo stated that the project will generate approximately 130 gigawatt-hours per year and reduce carbon emissions by up to 104,000 tons. The project is expected to begin commercial operations in November 2026, a tangible symbol of the national commitment to clean energy.
Darmawan emphasized that the construction of this floating solar power plant is a significant milestone in Indonesia’s clean transformation. He sees it as a signal that the energy transition is not mere rhetoric, but rather a concrete step driven by strong synergy between PLN, international partners, and the government.
The national policy context also adds to the urgency of infrastructure’s role as a key to accelerating energy self-sufficiency. The government is preparing to revise waste-to-energy regulations to simplify and integrate them, combining several existing regulations into one clear policy.
President Prabowo has even ordered an 18-month deadline to expedite the implementation of the WtE project, and has identified 33 landfill sites (TPA) as potential locations for the construction of PLTSa.
Strategically, the President places great trust in Danantara as a state investment agency capable of accelerating the implementation of strategic multi-sector projects, including clean energy and infrastructure. With a more flexible mandate than a conventional bureaucracy, Danantara is expected to be a catalyst for accelerating important projects.
Amidst the challenges, there are certainly classic obstacles, such as permitting, land availability, waste collection, gas supply continuity, and financing models. However, the current momentum is very favorable, with various projects ready for tender, domestic and foreign investors showing interest, and incentive policies increasingly favoring project acceleration.
If all levels of government, state-owned enterprises, the private sector, and local governments work in sync, strengthening energy infrastructure will lay a solid foundation. With supportive regulations, innovative financing, and streamlined bureaucracy, the goal of energy self-sufficiency is not a utopia, but a vision that can be achieved within the next decade.
Through resilient infrastructure, Indonesia is on the verge of a breakthrough toward energy independence. With determination and the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, the current government is paving a concrete path toward sustainable energy self-sufficiency.
*) The author is a social issues observer
