Bandung (ANTARA) – The West Java Provincial Government is placing energy infrastructure development at the core of its regional investment strategy to boost competitiveness and attract more investors, following the groundbreaking of the Legok Nangka Waste-to-Energy (PSEL) project.
Speaking in Bandung Regency on Wednesday, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi emphasized that electricity connection costs rather than land acquisition or permitting issues have become the primary hurdle facing investors today, making it a critical focus area.
"I deal with investment matters every day. The biggest issue is no longer land or permits, but the cost of connecting to the power grid. Many investors have to spend substantial amounts just to build substations and power supply networks," he said during the Legok Nangka PSEL groundbreaking ceremony.
He noted that the West Java Provincial Government aims to partner with state utility PT PLN (Persero) to develop electrical infrastructure, relieving investors of burdensome connection fees.
"Moving forward, I hope the West Java Provincial Government can collaborate with PLN to build power infrastructure so that investors are no longer burdened by high setup costs," he stated.
Dedi argued that government investment in energy infrastructure yields far-reaching economic benefits for the region, from job creation to increased tax revenues.
"Investing in power grid construction offers far greater long-term economic returns because it creates jobs, boosts tax revenue, and accelerates economic growth. That is why I want to integrate energy infrastructure development into our regional investment strategy," he added.
He expressed confidence that providing reliable energy infrastructure will significantly bolster West Java’s appeal as a premier investment destination.
"If West Java successfully provides solid energy infrastructure, more and more investors will naturally come," he said.
During the event, he also noted that the Legok Nangka Waste-to-Energy plant is engineered to process approximately 2,000 tons of waste per day with a total generating capacity of 40.79 megawatts (MW).
The project, valued at approximately IDR 7.2 trillion, is targeted to begin operations in 2029 and is expected to strengthen power supply while addressing waste management challenges across the Greater Bandung area.