Jakarta’s Environment Office announced on Wednesday that it plans to begin a trial run of the city’s new Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) plant in Rorotan, North Jakarta, next week, following a delay caused by community resistance.
Environment Office Head Asep Kuswanto told reporters at City Hall that the trial would proceed once technical preparations are complete.
“If everything is ready next week and all equipment is functioning properly, we will invite the public to observe the process so there are no further misunderstandings,” he said.
The RDF plant is designed to convert household waste into fuel, forming part of Jakarta’s broader strategy to reduce landfill dependency and improve waste management.
Originally scheduled for inauguration on September 24, the launch was postponed after protests from local residents.
Kuswanto said he had reported the delay to Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo, citing the need to ease tensions before proceeding.
If conditions improve this week, Kuswanto added, the city will move forward with a larger-scale commissioning test.
Governor Pramono previously stated that he wanted residents to witness the commissioning firsthand to demonstrate the city’s commitment to delivering public infrastructure.
While acknowledging that the project has not satisfied all stakeholders, he emphasized that the facility is part of the province’s responsibility to address Jakarta’s growing waste problem.
He added that if the commissioning is successful, the city will seek support from the central government for an official inauguration.
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Translator: Lifia Mawaddah Putri, Martha Herlinawati Simanjunt
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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