The recent devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yagi in China's Hainan province has reinforced the critical importance of stringent quality control measures in wind farm manufacturing, underscoring the urgent need for Australia's governments to commit to onshore manufacturing of our renewable energy assets.
Typhoon Yagi made landfall on 7 September, causing widespread destruction. The typhoon's 300km per hour winds resulted in severe damage to at least five or six massive turbines at a coastal wind farm in Hainan.
According to Geoff Crittenden (CEO, Weld Australia), "The destruction we've witnessed in China should be a wake-up call for Australia's governments. The incident in China highlights the critical importance of stringent quality control measures in wind turbine manufacturing. By bringing production onshore, Australia can implement rigorous standards and oversight, ensuring that our wind infrastructure is built to withstand the unique challenges of our climate and protect public safety."
"Onshoring wind tower manufacturing is not just about creating jobs; it's about building a safe, resilient energy future. By onshoring wind tower production, Australia can set new global standards for quality and safety in renewable energy infrastructure."
The main competition for Australian wind tower manufacturers are overseas suppliers from Vietnam, China and Indonesia. The issue is that the quality of imported wind towers is appalling. They do not adhere to Australian Standards. In constrast, local fabricators comply to internationally recognised Australian Standards like AS/NZS ISO 3834, and are certified by the relevant Australian authority. In this way, Government and private clients can ensure the quality and safety of projects.
These quality and safety issues will only be exacerbated by increased global demand. The whole world is looking to transition to renewable energy. Not only will increased global demand likely reduce the quality of wind towers manufactured overseas, it will also increase scarcity of supply.
"With the right investment and policy support, Australia has the potential to become a leader in wind tower manufacturing," Crittenden said. "We have the skills, the resources, and the determination to build world-class, high-quality wind farms that will power our nation for generations to come."
"Weld Australia urges Australia's governments to mandate that all steelwork for our renewable energy transition—both local and imported—is manufactured and erected according to Australian Standards. The Federal Government and state governments must act now to foster a sovereign wind tower manufacturing industry, create jobs in regional areas and ensure public safety," said Crittenden.
