Can Australia make its own wind turbine towers? Federal Labor wants to try again

The Australian federal government is inviting input from businesses across the country’s clean energy manufacturing supply chains to help shape the future of local wind and transmission tower manufacturing.

The government’s department of industry, science, and resource opened on Monday a consultation on the domestic manufacturing of wind and transmission infrastructure, citing a “unique opportunity to build a competitive, viable, and resilient domestic manufacturing industry for wind and transmission towers.”

“The global shift to clean energy is the biggest economic transformations since the Industrial Revolution – and it’s an enormous economic and jobs opportunity for Australia,” said Chris Bowen, minister for energy and climate change.

“Global investment in clean energy projects is set to rise over USD $2 trillion – we want to grow this, and Australia’s share in it.”

Australia has a fairly short and fraught history of making its own wind turbine components. Last year, the nation’s last remaining domestic tower manufacturer, Keppel Prince, mothballed its remaining wind operations after finally losing a 15-year battle to compete with cheaper Chinese imports.

The Albanese government believes it can revive the green industrial opportunity, bringing together Australia’s clean energy and steel industries to build quality jobs, boost regional industry, and strengthen long-term energy security and supply chain resilience.

Input being sought includes Australia’s current and potential manufacturing capability and capacity for wind and transmission towers; the potential opportunities for Australia’s existing steel manufacturers, metal fabricators, and other businesses; ways to make local manufacturing for wind and transmission towers more competitive and resilient; and insights on market conditions and policy settings that would encourage long-term investment.

Input provided to the consultation will also inform the Renewable Energy Technology Manufacturing stream of the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund. 

The consultation process aims to ensure that local manufacturing firms, workers, and communities all benefit directly from the renewable energy infrastructure needed to support Australia’s energy transition and its Future Made in Australia ambition.

The government is seeking input from businesses of all sizes across the supply chain in an effort to identify opportunities, capabilities, key barriers, and pressures.

“By leveraging the massive wave of renewable energy investment, we have a once in a generational opportunity to support Australian manufacturing,” said Tim Ayres, federal minister for industry and innovation and minister for science.

“The Albanese Labor government stands squarely behind Australian manufacturing firms and local industry – we want to make the most out of the energy transition and global shifts in front of us.

“I encourage all businesses and interested parties within the steel and clean energy manufacturing supply chain to share their feedback so we can shape an industry that delivers quality jobs, sovereign capability and economic opportunity.”

The consultation is opened on February 9 and closes Friday 6 March 2026. More information and how to make a submission can be found here.

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