PT PLN (Persero) has unequivocally stated that the advanced incinerator technology utilized in its waste-to-energy (WTE) projects, also known as PSEL (Pengolahan Sampah menjadi Energi Listrik), is designed to operate without posing a threat to the environment. Daniel Karmel Fernando Tampubolon, the Director of Project Management & New Renewable Energy at PT PLN, affirmed that the technology adheres to stringent particulate emission standards, both domestically within Indonesia and internationally.
Addressing common concerns about waste incineration, Daniel elaborated during a discussion at the Bloomberg Technoz Ecoverse 2025 in Jakarta on Thursday (20/11), “We often envision plastics or toxic materials resulting in hazardous emissions. This very challenge has, in fact, been meticulously overcome through cutting-edge incinerator technology.” He further highlighted PLN’s crucial role as the *offtaker*, or primary buyer, of the electricity generated by these PSEL facilities.
Daniel emphasized that the integrity and safety of the incinerator operations are maintained through precise thermal management. He assured that no issues arise when combustion occurs at temperatures exceeding 800 degrees Celsius. This critical high-temperature combustion process is instrumental in significantly minimizing the release of harmful pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and incompletely burned organic compounds, thereby safeguarding air quality.
WALHI Says Incinerators Remain Risky
However, a contrasting perspective is presented by Dwi Sawung, the Campaign Manager for Spatial Planning and Infrastructure at WALHI’s National Executive. Sawung argues that despite technological advancements, the use of incinerators inherently carries substantial risks for both the environment and public health, a viewpoint that warrants careful consideration in Indonesia’s waste management strategy.
Sawung attributes these potential hazards to the prevailing composition of waste in Indonesia, which remains largely unsorted and mixed. “When all of that mixed waste is incinerated, it undeniably generates dangerous emissions into the air and produces toxic ash residue,” Dwi conveyed to *Katadata.co.id* last October, underscoring the critical implications of heterogeneous waste streams.
To mitigate these identified risks, Sawung believes that the implementation of exceptionally strict and advanced emission control technology is imperative. Nevertheless, he points out a significant barrier: the considerable cost associated with acquiring and deploying such sophisticated systems, making them financially challenging for widespread adoption.
Moreover, Sawung suggested that with a predominant proportion of organic waste in Indonesia, its management could be simplified through more accessible methods like composting or other basic technologies. He concludes that the fundamental obstacle to implementing these simpler, more sustainable processing methods lies in the current shortcomings of the nation’s overarching waste management systems.
Adding to the discussion, Mutya Yustika, Research and Engagement Lead for the Indonesia Energy Transition at IEEFA, echoed concerns regarding the inadequacies in waste management. She views this as a critical impediment to the successful and efficient deployment of incinerator technology in Indonesia, highlighting the need for systemic improvements.
Mutya further elucidated the direct impact of mixed waste on operational efficiency, stating, “When organic waste is combined with non-organic materials and fed into a power plant, it can substantially reduce the overall efficiency of the facility and simultaneously elevate operational costs.” This insight underscores the economic implications of poor waste segregation.
Ultimately, Mutya acknowledged that while PSEL initiatives present a valuable opportunity to address Indonesia’s escalating waste crisis, the nation faces a multitude of unique challenges that must be systematically overcome to realize the full potential of these transformative projects.
Summary
PT PLN (Persero) asserts that the advanced incinerator technology used in their MSW to Energy (Municipal Solid Waste to Energy) projects is designed to operate safely for the environment. They state that this technology adheres to strict particulate emission standards, both Indonesian and international, and employs precise temperature control to minimize harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO).
However, WALHI argues that using incinerators still poses risks to the environment and public health, particularly given the largely unsorted composition of waste in Indonesia. They emphasize the need for extremely stringent, and therefore expensive, emission control technologies. Instead, they propose simpler management methods like composting for organic waste and overall improvements to the waste management system.
