The Bandung Regency Government in West Java has partnered with a Chinese investor to accelerate the development of the Oxbow Cicukang Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Plant in Margaasih, aiming to strengthen the region's waste management capacity by converting municipal waste into electricity.

Bandung Regent Dadang Supriatna stated on Wednesday that representatives from the Chinese investor, accompanied by officials from Indonesia's Ministry of Home Affairs, had conducted a site visit as part of the project's acceleration process.

"Representatives appointed directly by the Minister of Home Affairs were present. We are also grateful that the investor from China attended to assess the site's readiness firsthand," said Dadang Supriatna.

According to the Regent, the development of the Waste-to-Energy facility has become an urgent priority, as Bandung Regency generates approximately 1,800 tons of waste per day.

Meanwhile, the daily transportation quota to the Sarimukti Final Disposal Site (TPA Sarimukti) is limited to around 280 tons, representing only about 15 percent of the regency's total daily waste generation.

To support the project's implementation, the Bandung Regency Government is preparing land acquisition, widening access roads, and drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese investor and the central government as part of the project's acceleration process.

"The site has been cleared, the land is ready for acquisition, and the access road is prepared for expansion. There is no reason to delay the project any further," he said.

The Oxbow Cicukang Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPST) is designed to process between 600 and 800 tons of waste per day into electrical energy, equivalent to approximately 33–44 percent of Bandung Regency's daily waste generation.

"We will immediately prepare a comprehensive timeline covering land acquisition, road expansion, and the construction process. God willing, construction will begin soon," Dadang Supriatna added.

He explained that the facility will utilize a closed-system waste processing technology, allowing waste to be converted directly into electricity without producing unpleasant odors. The system is expected to significantly reduce the volume of waste transported to the Sarimukti landfill.

The Bandung Regent expressed optimism that the Oxbow Cicukang Waste-to-Energy Plant will begin operations in 2027, substantially increasing the regency's waste processing capacity, reducing dependence on the Sarimukti landfill, and promoting the conversion of waste into renewable energy.

He also noted that the local government continues to optimize waste management through existing integrated waste processing facilities (TPSTs), waste reduction initiatives at the source, and expanded community-based waste treatment programs to minimize the volume of waste sent to the Sarimukti landfill.

[SOURCE]