Waste-based power plant project to go ahead despite protest

Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung | Sat, 03/29/2008 11:12 AM

The Bandung municipal administration will go ahead with its plan to build a waste-based power generation plant despite strong opposition by local residents and the absence of an environment impact analysis.

A soft launch for the construction of the plant was held Monday in conjunction with the commemoration of the 62nd Bandung Lautan Api Day in Bandung.

Ignoring the protest and the unavailability of analysis from the Bandung office of the environmental management agency, Bandung Mayor Dada Rosada said he was optimistic construction of the project would run as expected.

"Now the launch for the project is being held, but its implementation still awaits the issuance of the permit," Dada said.

State Minister for Research and Technology Kusmayanto Kadiman, who attended the launch ceremony, said he supported the project.

Kusmayanto said his office's support was dependent on the use of proper technology designed to reduce the level of pollution.

"We are not the operator ... the one in charge of the project is the municipal administration. Our duty is just giving a proposal on the most appropriate technology," Kadiman said.

The launch ceremony was held seven kilometers from the site for the project.

The event was protested by residents fearful the plant will worsen air pollution in the city through carbon dioxide emissions.

The technology suggested for the power generation, Kadiman said, would be able to maximize usage but minimize risks.

He cited as an example the burning of plastic waste, which has the risk of releasing poisonous substances into the environment.

Active dissemination on how to reduce waste through the application of three Rs -- reuse, reduce and recycle -- should also be pursued, he said.

The power plant project, designed to process about 100 tons of household waste per day, will likely be built by the municipal administration together with the construction of a 60,000-seat sports stadium.

The two projects are estimated to cost about Rp 350 billion (US$38.80 million) each, with the funding to come from both the municipal and provincial budgets.