At the 12th Indonesia EBTKE Conference and Exhibition (IndoEBTKE ConEx) 2026 in Jakarta, talks about Indonesia’s renewable energy transition moved beyond solar and wind power. One topic stood out: food waste. More industry leaders now see it as a real source of renewable energy.
A Spotlight on Food Waste Recovery
During Breakout Session 4, “Community-Based Biomass and Biogas,” Wolfgang Goetz represented PT Organics Bali as a speaker. He shared insights on resource recovery from food waste and biogas technology in municipal solid waste management.
His talk pointed to a big challenge. Indonesia produces an estimated 35 to 38 million tonnes of municipal solid waste each year. Most of this waste is organic, yet very little of it gets reused. As a result, this waste holds real potential for renewable energy.
How Anaerobic Digestion Turns Waste into Energy
Anaerobic digestion breaks down food waste using natural bacteria, not fire. This happens inside a sealed tank or lagoon with no oxygen. The process creates biogas as a natural result.
Biogas can serve several needs. First, it can generate electricity and heat on-site. It can also be upgraded into biomethane or Bio-CNG for cleaner fuel use. Meanwhile, the leftover material, called digestate, opens the door to further nutrient recovery.
From Waste Disposal to Resource Recovery
Waste management and renewable energy do not need separate paths. Instead, both can work together in one system.
When cities separate organic waste at the source, they gain three benefits at once. They cut landfill volumes. They generate renewable energy. They also recover valuable nutrients for farms. In short, source separation turns a disposal cost into a resource opportunity.
Why This Shift Matters for Indonesia
For Indonesia, this marks a bigger shift. It moves the mindset from waste disposal to real resource recovery. As a result, organic waste can now join the country’s growing renewable energy base, right alongside solar and wind.
This shift also fits Indonesia’s wider energy transition goals. Cities and factories face growing pressure to manage waste sustainably. Anaerobic digestion offers a practical answer to that pressure.
Food Waste as a Local Energy Asset
Food waste is not just a problem to manage. Instead, it can become a local source of renewable energy, recovered nutrients, and economic value.
PT Organics Bali remains committed to these solutions across Indonesia’s industrial and municipal sectors. Taking part in forums like IndoEBTKE ConEx 2026 reflects that commitment. It also strengthens our dialogue with peers, regulators, and industry stakeholders shaping Indonesia’s renewable energy future.
