DENPASAR, Bali — Indonesia has begun construction of a waste-to-energy plant in Bali, marking a major step in tackling the island’s long-standing waste problem while boosting renewable energy production.
The facility, which broke ground on July 8, is expected to process up to 1,500 tonnes of waste each day, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, generating electricity and creating around 1,200 green jobs, according to the Ministry of Environment.
Officials say the plant is designed to convert 80 to 90 percent of Bali’s daily waste into electricity and is scheduled to begin full operations by the end of 2027.
Beyond reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill, the project is also expected to strengthen Bali’s clean energy supply, improve environmental conditions and attract investment in green technology.
“The project will support the development of a sustainable green economy,” said Laksmi Widyajayanti, Acting Deputy for Waste Management at the Ministry of Environment.
The Bali facility is expected to become a model for similar waste-to-energy projects planned in other parts of Indonesia facing growing waste challenges, including Bekasi, Greater Bogor and eight other strategic locations.
However, Widyajayanti stressed that advanced technology alone will not solve Indonesia’s waste problem.
“Waste-to-energy facilities do not mean all waste can be mixed. Sorting at the source is essential, and it must start with us,” she said.
Her remarks highlight a key challenge facing the project. While the plant is expected to process large volumes of waste, its efficiency will still depend on households and businesses separating rubbish before it reaches the facility.
For Bali, where waste management has become an increasingly visible issue for residents, businesses and tourists alike, the project represents more than just a new power plant. It is also a test of whether technology, public participation and government policy can work together to deliver a cleaner future for one of the world’s most popular island destinations.
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