Not Just for Electricity, Waste Can Also Be Turned into Fuel

Minister of Environment Moh Jumhur Hidayat has revealed that the concept of waste-to-energy does not always mean producing electricity. In several regions, waste processing can be developed into other alternative fuels.

According to him, waste can be developed into alternative fuels according to the characteristics of a region. For example, it can become alternative fuels such as Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), biogas, pellets, and others.

“In some places, it may not be suitable to become electricity, but it can become RDF, pelletizing, which might be higher than coal. And that can be a lot, that is also part of what we can collaborate on with Danantara, and anyone interested in being included in the circular economy,” he said at the inauguration of the Waste-to-Energy Processing Facility (PSEL) in Bali on Wednesday (8/7/2026).

On the other hand, he acknowledged that the development of Waste-to-Energy (PSEL) projects has the potential to be a solution for waste management in around 70 districts/cities in Indonesia. He said that based on data from the Ministry of Environment, 34 PSEL agglomeration areas will be built in the future, covering around 60 to 70 districts/cities.

“Mr Coordinating Minister, I would like to report, the PSEL that we have data on, we estimate that in the future there will be 34 agglomerations, covering 60-70 districts/cities in Indonesia. Alhamdulillah, with PSEL, at least it helps 70 districts/cities solve their problems,” he said at the event.

Nevertheless, he reminded that there are still around 480 other districts/cities that also have to resolve their waste issues. This is a shared responsibility from local governments to the central government through the Ministry of Environment.