North Sumatra is investigating PSEL cooperation with Finland: stimulating waste processing into electrical energy
Governor of North Sumatra (Sumut), Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution, is exploring cooperation with Finland in waste to electrical energy processing (PSEL).
It is hoped that this cooperation can support waste management and strengthen the supply of electrical energy in various regions of North Sumatra, including remote areas.
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Bobby conveyed this when he received an audience from the Finnish Ambassador to Indonesia, Pekka Kaihilahti, in his office, 10th floor of the North Sumatra Governor’s Office, Jalan Diponegoro 30, Medan, Wednesday (17/6/2026). According to him, the existence of PSEL facilities is really necessary to meet the challenges of waste management in North Sumatra.
Currently, the PSEL project with a capacity of 15 megawatts (MW) is underway, which will serve Medan City and Deliserdang Regency. Bobby hopes that the construction of similar facilities can be expanded to other areas in North Sumatra, especially those that are difficult to reach.
“That’s why we hope that Finland can support this program to build PSEL. We hope that we can work together in different regions on the same or smaller scale,” said Bobby.
According to Bobby, PSEL offers many advantages. In addition to helping meet electricity needs, this facility is also a solution for sustainably managing community waste.
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On the occasion, Bobby also offered collaboration opportunities in the downstream industry sector. According to him, North Sumatra has great potential for industrial development because it is supported by abundant natural resources and a strategic geographical location on the international trade route of the Strait of Malacca.
In addition, Bobby explained some of North Sumatra’s superior raw materials, including palm oil, which has great potential to be developed through various derivative industries.
“We are very open about palm oil processing, this is one of the things with the most potential in North Sumatra,” said Bobby.
Meanwhile, Finland’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Pekka Kaihilahti, stated that his country is ready to introduce waste management technology in electrical energy, both on a small and large scale in North Sumatra. Finland is also ready to provide assistance, starting from the application of technology, waste sorting systems and community education.
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According to Pekka, the waste problem is also a major challenge in Finland. However, with the development of waste-to-energy technology, only about one percent of waste now ends up at final disposal sites (TPA).
Finland, he continued, has developed a modular waste-to-electricity treatment system that can be applied at different scales. The small capacity system is considered suitable for remote areas, given the geographical conditions of Finland, which have archipelagic characteristics and are spread out like Indonesia.
The governor was also accompanied in the audience by North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya, as well as a number of leaders of Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) of the North Sumatra Provincial Government. ***rel
