November 13, 2025 | 07:51 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Waste-to-Energy Project (PSEL) in North Sumatra Province is set to begin construction in 2026. This national strategic project will be developed in 10 regencies and cities across Indonesia, including North Sumatra, in Deliserdang Regency and Medan City.
As a concrete step to implement the project, North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution signed an agreement with PSEL, along with Medan Mayor Rico Waas and Deliserdang Regent Asri Ludin Tambunan on November 6, 2025. PSEL will convert non-recyclable waste into energy sources such as electricity, heat, or fuel.
"This is a solution to address the problem of waste accumulation in urban areas. The construction will be carried out in 2026. Our task is to ensure the success of the construction and disseminate information to the public," said Head of the Environment and Forestry Agency of North Sumatra, Heri W Marpaung, to reporters at the Governor's office on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
According to data from the North Sumatra Environment and Forestry Agency, the city of Medan produces 1,200-1,700 tons of waste per day, while the Deliserdang Regency produces around 1,400 tons per day. This is sufficient to supply the Waste-to-Energy Power Plant (PLTSa). In PLN's General Plan for Electricity Supply (RUPTL) 2025-2034, only 51 percent of the total 1,531 MW from various new renewable energies has been achieved by 2025.
"The hope is that the PSEL in Medan Raya will increase renewable energy electricity in North Sumatra. The electricity access for households stands at 99.81 percent," Heri added.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government has already sent a letter to the Ministry of Environment (KLH) or the Environmental Control Agency (BPLH) regarding support for the development of PSEL in Medan Raya. The total waste to be processed is 1,700 tons per day from Medan City and Deliserdang. Additionally, there is potential for waste management in Medan-Binjai-Deliserdang or Mebidang by establishing a Regional Integrated Waste Treatment Site in the Medanlabuhan Subdistrict, Medan City.
KLH and BPLH, along with the Ministry of Home Affairs and representatives from Danantara Indonesia Investment Management Agency, have conducted a survey and designated the Terjun Final Disposal Site (TPA) in the Medanmarelan Subdistrict, Medan City, as the location. "An additional 5 hectares of land will be added to the Terjun Final Disposal Site for this project," disclosed Heri.
Heri reminded other regencies and cities to manage waste using environmentally friendly methods and to refrain from using open dumping systems. This is in accordance with the government's goal of ending these practices by 2026. "This is a priority, the target is that by next year all regencies and cities will use sanitary landfills," he added.
The Deliserdang Regency government is ready to supply 400-600 tons of waste per day to the PSEL facility. The government hopes to receive support from the North Sumatra Provincial Government for distributing and managing its remaining waste. "We hope for the support of the Provincial Government regarding the distribution to PSEL, and we will manage the remaining waste independently," said Deliserdang Regent Asri Ludin Tambunan.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government, along with the regency and city governments, has long been concerned about waste management in urban areas. "This is a long-standing issue and one of President Joko Widodo's concerns regarding urban planning, including the issue of waste. We are seriously addressing it," said Bobby Nasution.
Bobby Nasution urged all relevant parties to fulfill their duties to the fullest extent, including the Tirtanadi Regional Water Company and the River Basin Management Agency (BPDAS), which are expected to supply water for the PSEL project.
"Medan is one of the ten cities that will receive this program, so let's do our best and follow up on our duties," said Bobby Nasution.
Medan Mayor Rico Waas stated that Medan needs an integrated waste management solution. It can convert waste into a productive and environmentally friendly energy cycle. He believes that the PSEL program is a solution because it generates energy and helps local governments reduce the cost burden of final disposal.
"We hope this program runs well to address the waste problem in Medan," he added.
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