Danantara to Involve Local Workers in 33 Waste-to-Energy Projects, Absorbing Up to 130,000 Jobs

PT Daya Energi Bersih Nusantara (Denera), an integrated waste management company under Danantara Indonesia, has confirmed it will optimise the involvement of local workers in waste-to-energy (WtE) projects across various regions. The move aligns with plans to build 33 WtE facilities throughout Indonesia, which are projected to absorb up to 130,000 workers from the construction phase through to operations. Denera Chief Executive Officer Fadli Rahman stated that local community participation is a primary focus for the company in implementing the project. He noted that the development of waste-to-energy facilities is not only oriented towards providing infrastructure but must also deliver economic benefits to communities surrounding the project sites. “We ensure good collaboration with local governments and all stakeholders, including by maximising the absorption of local labour,” Fadli Rahman said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Saturday, 4 July 2026. Danantara Indonesia estimates that each waste-to-energy facility construction will require approximately 500 to 1,000 workers during the construction phase. With plans to build 33 facilities in various regions, the total workforce requirement from construction to operation is projected to reach around 130,000 people. The project is expected not only to strengthen national waste management but also to open new employment opportunities for communities in various regions. Fadli Rahman assessed that the waste problem has evolved into a social issue as well as a cross-generational challenge that will determine the quality of life for future generations. He therefore invited all elements of society to support waste management efforts, whether through simple steps or the application of modern technology. According to him, public support is needed from the upstream to downstream management processes, including getting accustomed to sorting waste before further processing. “Let us support every effort that provides solutions to the waste problem in Indonesia,” he said. Separately, the founder of Social Investment Indonesia and sustainability provocateur, Jalal, stated that the development of waste-to-energy facilities must be accompanied by strengthening the culture of waste sorting at the household, commercial, and industrial levels.