China-Indonesia Waste-To-Power Pact Neither Clean Nor Green

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WtE also poses a structural challenge to waste reduction. To remain financially viable, facilities require a steady supply of garbage over decades. That demand can create perverse incentives to maintain - or even increase - waste generation, encouraging practices that prioritize appearances over genuine environmental gains.

In some cases, this dynamic can amount to greenwashing, overshadowing the goal of truly clean energy. Recycling, composting and other circular economy initiatives risk being sidelined. Despite being labeled“renewable,” WtE carries environmental costs that make it far from a truly clean energy solution.

This is not to dismiss the value of collaboration. China has become a global leader in clean energy technologies, from solar panels and wind turbines to battery storage and smart grid systems.

Its domestic push to decarbonize cities and modernize energy infrastructure has produced companies with world-class expertise that Indonesia can leverage.

If properly structured, partnerships with Chinese firms could accelerate the deployment of solar, wind, hydroelectric and energy storage projects, delivering greater environmental benefits than WtE alone.

For Indonesia, WtE projects should not be treated as a model for green energy but as a reminder that future collaboration must prioritize genuinely clean solutions.

Danantara's requirement that foreign companies form consortia with local partners is a positive step: Indonesian engineers, technicians and administrators gain exposure to international project standards, operational oversight and management frameworks.

That knowledge would have the greatest impact if directed toward truly clean energy sectors rather than primarily waste incineration.

Strategically, expanding cooperation into solar, wind, hydro and battery storage could position Indonesia as a regional hub for renewable energy innovation.

China's advanced manufacturing and deployment capabilities could be paired with Indonesia's abundant natural resources and growing domestic energy market to develop scalable, sustainable infrastructure.

Such partnerships could attract long-term investment, build local capacity and strengthen Indonesia's credibility in the global energy transition.