Indonesia taps universities, industries for waste-to-energy push

 Indonesias Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology has reaffirmed its commitment to embracing and empowering universities and industrial actors in developing waste-to-energy (WtE) power plants.

Higher Education Minister Brian Yuliarto conveyed this stance during a meeting with representatives from foreign universities, the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), and PT Rekayasa Industri, which is a state-run engineering company, in Jakarta on Tuesday (Feb. 24).

"It is important for us to design WtE projects based on clear and measurable calculations in terms of capacity, costs, and sustainability," he noted in a statement issued on Thursday.

Yuliarto stressed the need to devise a scientific approach grounded in comprehensive technical studies to identify effective solutions for waste management and energy while considering both economic and environmental aspects.

The minister underscored the need to strengthen the role of higher education and research institutions in formulating integrated waste management models. He also endorsed schemes that combine micro-management at the community level with centralized facilities for broader implementation.

He argued that such an approach could reduce waste mobility, support refuse-derived fuel (RDF) facilities, and enhance quality control and environmental impact measures.

Tuesday’s discussion highlighted findings that organic waste accounts for about 55 percent of total waste generated. This requires initiatives at household and community levels to ease transport loads and reduce volumes at final disposal facilities.

The model is expected to provide higher education institutions with opportunities to contribute through data-driven calculations on ideal capacity, regional typology, and logistical efficiency. The goal is to design systems tailored to the characteristics of each region.

Recognizing the central role of RDF in WtE projects, the Higher Education Ministry urged stronger domestic research and technological innovation to ensure that plant design, combustion systems, and emission controls meet national RDF standards.