Danantara CIO Says Waste-to-Energy Projects Attract Global Investors from China to Middle East

JAKARTA — Pandu Patria Sjahrir, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Danantara, Indonesia’s state investment agency, said many investors are interested in waste-to-energy (WTE) projects or Pengolahan Sampah Menjadi Energi Listrik (PSEL). Investors are coming from various countries across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. “On the demand side, it’s all from the private sector. Not just from Indonesia or China, but also from Korea, Japan, Europe, the Middle East, and Singapore,” he said during a B-Universe Economic Insight Series 2026 discussion at Hotel Mulia Senayan in Jakarta on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

Pandu explained that in the first phase of the WTE projects, around 200 companies expressed interest. In the second phase, 10 additional WTE project locations were offered to investors, with 85 consortia participating in the bidding process. “For the second phase, we have 85 consortia bidding for the 10 available locations, which is a fourfold increase,” Pandu said.

He noted that the high level of interest reflects growing private sector enthusiasm for WTE projects. The projects, valued at approximately $5 billion, allow private sector involvement across multiple areas, including equity holding, operations and maintenance (O&M), and supporting sectors. “This serves as an example of private sector participation in Danantara’s projects,” he added.

The WTE programme is regulated under Presidential Regulation No. 109 of 2025, which accelerates waste-to-energy conversion in several Indonesian regions. The initiative aims to address waste management challenges by strengthening urban waste handling, reducing reliance on final disposal sites (TPA), and supporting sustainable energy generation.