Ahmad Luthfi Approaches Chinese Investors for Green Energy and Waste-to-Electricity Projects in Central Java
The Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, is aggressively pursuing foreign investment. Addressing dozens of Chinese entrepreneurs, he presented significant investment opportunities in the renewable energy sector and waste-to-electricity processing in Central Java.
Ahmad Luthfi made these promotional efforts while attending the China-Indonesia Political and Business Leaders Exchange, held as part of the 12th DBA Entrepreneur Scholar programme of the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) at the Grand Hyatt, Jakarta, on Friday night (22/05/2026). The forum was attended by numerous investors and leaders of major Chinese companies that have already established capital in Indonesia.
During the event, Ahmad Luthfi emphasised that Central Java remains open to global investment. He noted that the province’s geographical position, the readiness of its industrial zones, and its economic growth make Central Java one of the nation’s primary economic hubs. “I appreciate this activity. We invite China and all nations to Central Java because, in terms of geology, strategy, and typology, it serves as an economic hub,” Luthfi stated.
He reported that investment realisation in Central Java throughout 2025 reached IDR 110.02 trillion. This figure comprises foreign direct investment (FDI) of IDR 50.86 trillion, domestic investment of IDR 37.64 trillion, and MSME investment of IDR 21.52 trillion. In the first quarter of 2026, investment in Central Java had already reached IDR 23.02 trillion, with economic growth hitting 5.89 per cent.
According to Luthfi, Central Java currently operates seven industrial and special economic zones, with an additional 12 regions preparing new zones to support even investment distribution and economic growth. He noted that China remains one of the highest sources of investment in Central Java, with a value of approximately IDR 10.13 trillion.
In the forum, Ahmad Luthfi offered at least seven renewable energy projects ready for partnership, including solar power plants, micro-hydro, biogas, biomass, swamp gas, waste-to-energy, and geothermal energy. He emphasised that the Central Java Provincial Government is serious about developing environmentally friendly energy and addressing waste issues through investment in modern processing technology. “We are opening wide opportunities for waste processing investment in Central Java, which will assist us in our renewable energy endeavours,” he said.
Meanwhile, the CEO of PT WOOK Global Technology, Cu Longhua, remarked that the forum brought together many cross-sector entrepreneurs with great potential for cooperation between Indonesia and China. He noted that the attending companies possess expertise in environmental protection, solid waste processing, new energy, digital technology, high-tech manufacturing, and modern agriculture. “Currently, President Prabowo is very serious about encouraging the conversion of waste into electricity. We are a leading company in this industry in China,” he added.
Similarly, the CEO of AAC Technologies Holdings, Benjamin Pan, assessed that Indonesia, particularly Central Java, possesses great potential as an industrial and manufacturing growth centre in Southeast Asia. According to Benjamin, Chinese entrepreneurs are prepared to bring technology, capital, and industrial resources to collaborate with Indonesia’s market potential. “We see the possibility of unlimited collaboration. We want to jointly support the development of high-quality industry in Indonesia,” he concluded.