PORTALJABAR, BEKASI REGENCY - Bekasi Regency has been officially designated as a potential area for the Waste-to-Electricity (PSEL) Program by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK). This designation was announced during a program handover ceremony at Wisma Danantara in Jakarta, led by Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq on Thursday (October 9, 2025).

Minister Hanif explained that the central government is currently taking concrete steps to expand the development of energy-based waste processing facilities in various regions.

"Today, we are handing over the first wave of potential vocational training for waste-to-energy development across seven agglomerations: Yogyakarta, Denpasar, Greater Bekasi, Greater Tangerang, Greater Bogor, Medan, and Semarang," Hanif said.

He added that several other areas, such as Yogyakarta and Greater Bandung, are also being further verified because they have great potential in terms of waste accumulation that can be converted into energy.

"We will submit written information about these two areas to the Minister of Investment and Danantara, and the Coordinating Minister for Food and Fisheries will review them directly," he explained.

Bekasi Regent Ade Kuswara Kunang, who also attended the event, expressed his gratitude for the central government's trust in including Bekasi Regency on the list of national PSEL development agglomerations. He stated that this is a crucial step in addressing waste issues and strengthening the region's environmentally friendly energy program.

"Thank God, Bekasi Regency has received a great opportunity because it was one of the regions invited directly by the Ministry of Environment, along with the Minister of Investment, and accompanied by the Governor of West Java. This demonstrates the central government's great trust in us," said Regent Ade.

The Regent also explained that his party, together with the Regional Government Budget Team (TAPD) and related technical equipment, is currently preparing land that will be used as a waste processing location.

"We are currently coordinating with regional authorities to provide approximately three to five hectares of land as part of the administrative requirements. Our current focus is on completing all requirements before the end of the year so this program can begin immediately," he explained.

He emphasized that the Bekasi Regency Government is fully committed to supporting this national program as a real effort to resolve the increasingly pressing waste problem.

"Bekasi Regency is currently facing a waste emergency. Therefore, we are very grateful for President Prabowo's support through this waste-to-energy program. We hope that all initial processes can begin at the Burangkeng Landfill in Setu District by January," said the Regent.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bekasi Regency Environmental Agency, Donny Sirait, explained that the joint activity between the Ministry of Environment and Danantara was a form of technical consolidation between the central and regional governments to ensure the readiness of areas included in the agglomeration list.

"This meeting discussed the readiness of each region, which has been verified by various ministries, including the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the State Electricity Company (PLN). Bekasi Regency has been declared suitable in terms of waste availability, location, and technical data readiness," said Doni.

Doni explained that this project will utilize an investment system entirely from the central government through Danantara, while the region is only obliged to provide land and guarantee a daily waste supply.

"All construction and technology costs are covered by the central government. We in the regions simply need to ensure the availability of five hectares of land and a daily supply of 1,000 tons of waste. This significantly eases the burden on the regions and provides significant benefits to the community," he said. (Bekasi Regency Communications and Information Office/rka)

He added that the verification results showed that Bekasi Regency was one of the areas with the most complete readiness, both in terms of technical data, infrastructure, and environmental carrying capacity.

"We have a distinct advantage because the area around the Burangkeng landfill has adequate water sources and favorable soil conditions. Furthermore, our location is close to the PLN electricity grid, facilitating future energy integration," said Doni.

Construction of the PSEL facility in the Greater Bekasi area is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with an estimated construction time of between 18 and 24 months. This project is expected to help achieve the national target of a waste-free Indonesia by 2029, as mandated by President Prabowo Subianto.

"We are optimistic that Bekasi Regency is ready to be a key part of this national program. We hope this step can become a milestone for modern and sustainable waste management in Indonesia," he concluded.