MPR Leader Calls WtE Solution to Waste Crisis and Clean Energy Transition
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Deputy Speaker of the MPR, Eddy Soeparno, stated that the implementation of waste-to-energy (WtE) technology is a solution to address the waste management crisis and the transition to clean energy.
“The waste issue is a priority for President Prabowo, and this needs to be appreciated. Because conventional approaches to waste management are no longer adequate,” he said in his statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
This was conveyed when Eddy Soeparno was a speaker in the Parlemen Kampus 2026 agenda, a collaboration between the DPR RI and Sebelas Maret University (UNS) in Surakarta, which was also attended by the Mayor of Solo, Respati Ardhi, and Deputy Chairman of Commission XII of the DPR RI, Aria Bima, at the DPR RI Building on Tuesday (5/5).
Therefore, he said, the transformation towards a circular economy model through the development of Waste-to-Power Plants (PLTSa) is a strategic step taken by President Prabowo.
Eddy emphasised that Indonesia’s waste problem has reached an emergency point because of the total national waste accumulation exceeding 56 million tonnes per year, about 61 per cent of which is still not managed properly and mostly ends up in open dumps or pollutes the environment.
He noted that globally, WtE development has proven effective, such as in China, which leads with an installed capacity of 13.7 GW, followed by Japan, Germany, and the United States.
Indonesia, according to Eddy, has great potential to catch up by utilising the momentum of the latest regulations.
According to him, Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 109 of 2025 on Urban Waste Management through Waste Processing into Renewable Energy Based on Environmentally Friendly Technology is an important milestone in accelerating the national development of PLTSa.
This regulation brings several fundamental improvements, including certainty of electricity tariffs at 20 US cents per kWh, contract durations of up to 30 years, and a guaranteed minimum waste supply of 1,000 tonnes per day.
Tipping fee is the fee or gate charge paid by local governments to waste managers/project developers (such as PLTSa) based on the tonnage of waste managed.
Investment certainty
He also stated that the Perpres provides a strong signal that the state is present to create investment certainty in the renewable energy sector, particularly waste-based.
Furthermore, this UI Political Science Doctor explained that the development of PLTSa not only impacts the energy sector but also opens new economic opportunities. Each megawatt of PLTSa capacity is estimated to create up to eight new jobs.
In addition, the development of 33 PLTSa locations in Indonesia has the potential to produce electricity capacity of up to 450–660 MW, while opening revenue opportunities from carbon trading projected to reach up to USD 30 billion by 2030.
He views campuses as centres of innovation that can contribute to research on technology, policy design, and the development of more sustainable and equitable PLTSa governance models.
“The development of WtE must be seen as an integral part of the national energy resilience agenda and Indonesia’s leadership in global climate action. The success of this programme greatly depends on cross-sector collaboration and long-term policy consistency,” he said.