Weld Australia Demands Urgent Government Action to Implement Meaningful, Enforceable Local Content Requirements for All Renewable Energy Projects
Weld Australia welcomes the recent approval of three major wind farms in New South Wales—Liverpool Range, Spicers Creek, and Hills of Gold. These projects are a necessary step forward in Australia's renewable energy revolution, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition towards a cleaner future. However, while this marks a significant milestone for renewable energy, it currently benefits China's manufacturing sector far more than Australia's, leaving local manufacturers sidelined.
According to Weld Australia's CEO, Geoff Crittenden, "The Albanese Government's approval of these projects is a milestone for Australia's renewable energy sector, but it does little to support our local manufacturing industry. Without enforceable local content policies, these wind farms will simply be built using imported steel and offshore fabrication, creating jobs overseas instead of here in Australia."
Australia Must Prioritise Its Own Industry
With a record 77 renewable energy projects now approved under the Albanese Government, the failure to mandate Australian-made steel and Australian welders in these projects is a missed opportunity.
"We are already seeing the consequences of government inaction. Australia's last mainland wind tower manufacturer, Keppel Prince, was forced to mothball its wind tower facility last year because it simply couldn't compete with cheap imports. Without clear, enforceable local content requirements, we will continue to see Australian manufacturers shut their doors while foreign suppliers reap the benefits," Crittenden said.
Mandating Local Content for a Stronger Australia
Weld Australia is calling on the federal government to take immediate action to ensure all new renewable energy projects:
- Require the use of 100% Australian steel, fabricated by Australian welders—unless there is a legitimate reason why this cannot be achieved.
- Legitimate exemptions to this policy should be made only if approved by the Australian Fabrication Authority to ensure that all renewable energy projects:
- Are constructed in compliance with Australian Standards to ensure quality and safety.
- Fair and reasonable tender and contract terms for Australian manufacturers.
"These wind farms are designed to power Australia's future, yet we are outsourcing their construction to foreign companies. This is a failure of leadership. The government must back its own rhetoric and ensure that all renewable energy projects 'Buy Local'—they must use Australian steel and local workers. Enforceable local content requirements will ensure government spending supports Australian jobs and industries, not overseas manufacturers," said Crittenden.
Imported fabricated steel has repeatedly failed to meet Australian Standards, raising serious concerns about the long-term safety, durability and cost of major infrastructure projects. If need to be replaced and repaired, much quicker than Australian ones.
"The government must act now to ensure that all steel used in Australia's renewable energy transition meets our rigorous standards. Safety cannot be compromised for the sake of short-term cost savings," Crittenden said.
A Call to Action for the Albanese Government
While these new wind farm approvals mark an important step forward for renewable energy, the government must ensure that they also support Australian manufacturing and fabrication. Without practical and enforceable local content policies, we risk becoming dependent on foreign suppliers, losing sovereign capability, and failing to capitalise on the economic benefits that these projects should bring to Australian workers.
"The Albanese Government has the power to change this. It must introduce and enforce local content mandates that prioritise Australian industry. Otherwise, these wind farms will be built with foreign steel, foreign labour, and foreign profits—while Australian businesses and workers are left behind," Crittenden said.
Weld Australia urges the federal government to act now to secure Australia's renewable energy future in a way that also secures Australia's manufacturing future.
About us:
ABOUT WELD AUSTRALIA
Weld Australia represents the welding profession in Australia. Its members are made up of individual welding professionals and companies of all sizes. Weld Australia members are involved almost every facet of Australian industry and make a significant contribution to the nation's economy. The primary goal of Weld Australia is to ensure that the Australian welding industry remains locally and globally competitive, both now and into the future. Weld Australia is the Australian representative member of the International Institute of Welding (IIW).
