Heavy trucks loaded with mixed garbage drove into the landfill, and the dark garbage mountain had risen above the surrounding coconut groves. This is a daily scene in many cities in Indonesia, but starting next year, these wastes will be converted into electricity.

On January 13, 2026, Indonesian State Secretary Prasetiyo Hadi recently announced that in response to the increasingly severe pressure on waste disposal, the government will officially launch the first batch of 34 waste to energy projects between January and March 2026, with a total investment of up to 600 trillion Indonesian rupiah. This is one of the key focuses of Indonesia's 18 strategic downstream projects, which will completely change traditional waste disposal methods.

The urban dilemma of daily production exceeding 1000 tons

The Indonesian archipelago consists of over 17000 islands, and densely populated cities are facing increasingly severe challenges in waste management. According to the latest data from the Indonesian government, the total daily amount of municipal solid waste generated in the country has exceeded 200000 tons.

We are facing a particularly severe situation in 34 regions/cities where the daily production of garbage has exceeded 1000 tons, "Minister Hadi said at a press conference in Jakarta." Immediate disposal of this garbage has become an urgent task

Landfills are nearing saturation, and many cities are piling up mountains of garbage. The Bulong'an landfill near Jakarta, as one of the largest landfills in Indonesia, has already exceeded its design capacity and become a 40 meter high garbage mountain.

Garbage to energy technology is considered a key solution to this problem. This project can not only reduce the volume of waste, but also convert it into renewable energy to provide electricity for the local power grid.

Schedule for synchronous advancement of 34 projects

The schedule for the waste to energy project formulated by the Indonesian government is tight and clear. According to Minister Hardy's statement, the groundbreaking ceremonies for all 34 waste to energy projects will be concentrated between January and March 2026.

This batch of projects belongs to the key scope of 18 strategic downstream projects identified by the Indonesian government. All projects have completed pre feasibility studies and entered the implementation preparation stage. The system planning and preliminary preparation of the project have been ongoing for several years.

The site selection logic of the project is clear and pragmatic - prioritizing cities with a daily waste production of over 1000 tons. This standard ensures that resources are prioritized for where they are most needed, maximizing the solution to the pressure of waste disposal.

These waste to energy facilities will adopt modern technology to ensure efficient and clean energy conversion processes. The Indonesian government has cooperated with multiple technologically advanced countries, including China, to introduce the most advanced waste to energy equipment and management experience.

Strong support from sovereign wealth funds

The investment scale of 60 trillion Indonesian rupiah (approximately 249.42 billion yuan) has made this batch of waste to energy projects one of the key areas of infrastructure construction in Indonesia. This huge investment will be directly managed by Danantara Indonesia, the Indonesian sovereign wealth fund.

Financial security is the key to the success of projects, "Minister Hardy emphasized." We have confidence in ensuring that these projects are completed on time and with high quality

As part of 18 downstream strategic projects, the waste to energy plan will receive priority resource allocation and policy support. The Indonesian government hopes that through these projects, it can not only solve the problem of garbage disposal, but also create employment opportunities and promote the development of green technology.

This large-scale investment also reflects the Indonesian government's commitment to sustainable development. Against the backdrop of global efforts to address climate change, waste to energy projects will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions such as methane, helping Indonesia achieve its emission reduction targets.

Local governments in Indonesia have begun preparations for project implementation, including site selection, environmental impact assessment, and community communication. As the start of construction in early 2026 approaches, this archipelago country is welcoming a 'garbage revolution'.

At the same time, Chinese companies' technology and experience in the field of waste to energy generation have attracted attention from Indonesia. In recent years, multiple Chinese environmental protection companies have participated in solid waste treatment projects in Indonesia. China's waste incineration technology is at the forefront of the world, with high incineration efficiency and strict emission control. Keywords: international news, feature news, waste to energy generation

When asked if he would seek international cooperation, Minister Hardy said, "We are open to all foreign partners who can provide advanced technology and responsible investment, with a focus on technological practicality and environmental sustainabilityEditor/Yang Meiling