RRI.CO.ID, Baturaja – In a move to transform its waste management system from a public expense into a revenue generator, the Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Regency Administration in South Sumatra is preparing to implement a technology that converts landfill waste into alternative fuel. This initiative, which leverages private sector cooperation, aims to boost Local Genuine Revenue (PAD) while effectively shrinking the volume of accumulated garbage without drawing from local administration coffers.

OKU Regent, Teddy Meilwansyah, gave an official statement in Baturaja on Sunday, May 24, 2026. He expressed that his administration is fully prepared to adopt waste-to-fuel technology similar to that utilized at Jakarta's Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Plant or the TB Simatupang Waste Filter facility for implementation in his region.

The plan stems from a recent field assessment to observe these functional systems in action. "Our visit to the TB Simatupang RDF Plant in Jakarta on Friday, May 22, 2026, coordinated a collaboration with PT Asiana Technologies Lestari to directly observe the waste processing process there," he said, as quoted by Antara.

During the visit, local officials observed how the system processes raw municipal waste into a high-calorie fuel substitute, which can replace the fossil fuels heavily used in the cement industry. A major asset of this technology is its self-sustaining financial model, as it is designed to operate independently without relying on the regional budget or requiring tipping fees from the government.

Instead of straining public funds, the partnership is structured to generate steady income for the region. Under the agreed framework, the private partner will lease land within the existing Final Disposal Sites (TPA) provided by the regency, establishing a brand-new stream of local revenue.

"This system is planned to be implemented this year at the landfill site in OKU Regency," he explained.

Once operational later this year, the facility is projected to drastically reduce the sheer volume of waste piling up at local dumping grounds. At the same time, it will supply regional industrial markets with a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative fuel source, resolving two major environmental challenges at once.

"RDF technology is the right solution, because besides reducing waste, the region also receives revenue from landfill waste without operational costs from the regional budget," said the Regent. ***