Speaking at the inauguration of the Balikpapan Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) in East Kalimantan, as monitored from Jakarta, the president said the projects would soon enter the initial implementation phase.
“In the near future, I have been informed that we will begin 34 waste-to-energy projects, where waste is converted into electricity,” Prabowo said.
He stressed that waste-to-energy initiatives are increasingly urgent amid the growing accumulation of waste in major cities, warning that failure to address the problem could pose long-term environmental risks.
“Waste has accumulated on a massive scale. This could become a long-term disaster, as we have so far been unable to fully implement effective waste management projects,” he said.
Under the program, waste will not only be removed from urban areas but also utilized as a source of electricity for public benefit.
Prabowo noted that while tenders for the projects are expected to open soon, the facilities will require time before becoming fully operational.
“We are starting 34 projects. The tenders may open in the coming days, but it will take about two years before the facilities are fully operational,” he said.
Earlier, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said the waste-to-energy initiative is one of 18 downstreaming projects currently under review by Danantara, with implementation targeted no later than March 2026.
The projects will be developed at 34 locations across 34 regencies and cities, particularly in areas where daily waste accumulation averages around 1,000 tons.
The construction of waste-to-energy facilities is expected to help reduce environmental pressure while lowering public health risks associated with unmanaged waste.
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Translator: Maria Galuh, Kuntum Khaira
Editor: Primayanti
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