TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian and Finnish governments are exploring opportunity to cooperate in developing waste to energy project. Earlier, Finland has invested in the same program in Jakarta via city-owned PT Jakarta Propertindo.

“Finland wishes to explore investment potential in Indonesia, the minister arrives with Finnish business and companies,” the National Development Planning Agency Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro after his meeting with Finnish delegates led by Economic Minister Mika Lintilä in Jakarta yesterday.

Bambang said he encouraged Finland to develop waste to energy technology not only in Jakarta, but also across regions in Indonesia.

He said that the Finnish government is prepared to invest in other cities provided that Indonesia give it an assurance on electricity tariffs and tipping fee.

“Tipping fee is the cost of garbage collection. Therefore, the electricity tariff should result in a profit margin for the company,” he said.

As for tipping fee, he said, the Energy and Mineral Resources and Home Affair Ministries are handling it.

Indeed, Bambang said electricity price per KWH of waste to energy facility will be higher compared to those of steam-powered or other power plants. But the technology would be useful in developing new renewable energy technology. “It will help in addressing waste problem,” he said.

Bambang said that waste to energy project is being explored and both parties has not agreed on the investment value.

CAESAR AKBAR | ALI HIDAYAT