Bali Governor confident PSEL will enhance tourism image

Bali Governor Wayan Koster is confident that the Waste-to-Energy (PSEL) technology, which has begun construction, can enhance Bali’s tourism image. “When this is completed, not only will the environmental ecosystem be good and healthy for community life, but Bali’s tourism image will also improve,” he said during the PSEL Bali Groundbreaking in Denpasar on Wednesday. The PSEL, initiated by Danantara Indonesia and launched by the Coordinating Minister for Food, will solve Bali’s waste problem by processing it into electrical energy. Koster noted that Bali has continuously been hit by various issues such as traffic congestion, water, electricity, and waste, yet tourists keep visiting. He is therefore convinced that resolving the waste issue will further increase tourist arrivals. “Tourism in Bali is very robust. Despite being hit by congestion issues, the world community still loves Bali. In 2025, within one year, the number of foreign tourist visits to Bali reached 7,050,000, an increase of 750,000 from 2024, and domestic tourists reached 9.3 million,” he said. Throughout 2025, total tourist visits reached 16 million, contributing significantly to the local economy and generating approximately Rp176 trillion in national foreign exchange. Bali’s tourism contributes more than 65 percent to the island’s economy, supporting hotels, restaurants, transport services, and MSMEs, resulting in Bali’s economic growth reaching 5.82 percent in 2025, the fifth highest among provinces with natural resources. “Therefore, tourism in Bali must be well maintained, and of course, this waste issue must be resolved so that Bali’s tourism image becomes even better, high-quality, and competitive in the future,” said Governor Koster. To ensure the success of Indonesia’s first PSEL project, the Bali Provincial Government is sharing responsibilities, including providing 6 hectares of land in Pedungan, Denpasar, and preparing the land together with Denpasar City and Badung as one agglomeration. “For the land maturation, filling in the swampy holes, we conducted a ritual ceremony yesterday; it couldn’t be done directly. We carried out this process properly, asking nature for its blessing, and finally, it was completed before the 30 June target,” Koster said. The provincial government’s responsibilities have been fulfilled smoothly, allowing the PSEL Bali construction launch to proceed today. Danantara Indonesia’s partner in the project, valued at Rp3 trillion, promises the PSEL will be completed by the end of 2027 and operational in the first semester of 2028. However, Governor Koster hopes the construction can be finished within 15 months, by October 2027, so it can begin operating sooner. “Please continue to push for this to be completed on time. If this is finished by the end of 2027 and can operate in December, for example, then Bali’s waste problem, which is a challenge for Balinese tourism, can be completely resolved under President Prabowo Subianto,” Koster concluded.