The cement industry is one of the most significant contributors to CO2 emissions in Indonesia, primarily due to its high energy demand for raw material calcination using coal. To address this issue, sustainable energy solutions, such as the utilization of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), are being explored. One approach involves converting MSW into Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), which separates combustible waste fractions for energy recovery. However, RDF implementation in cement kilns faces several operational challenges and risks. This study aims to identify critical risks associated with the utilization of MSW as RDF in Indonesia’s cement industry and propose effective mitigation strategies to enhance its feasibility. Risk Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (RFMEA) was conducted to assess potential risks, followed by an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine the most appropriate mitigation measures. The results show that initial risk identification revealed 18 risk factors, with Pareto Analysis showing a critical Risk Priority Number (RPN) of 128 and a critical Risk Score (RN) of 32.8. There are nine risk factors classified as essential in the Scatter Diagram. The risk factor with the highest RPN is high moisture content requiring additional drying energy, and the risk factor with the highest RN is challenges in optimizing combustion locations within the calciner. Mitigation strategies were evaluated using the AHP method, where controlling moisture content was identified as the most effective measure (weight: 0.516), followed by optimizing kiln location (weight: 0.636). These findings offer valuable insights into enhancing RDF adoption in the cement industry and contribute to Indonesia’s sustainable energy transition. © (2025), (International Journal on Advanced Science). All rights reserved.