Weld Australia has welcomed the Australian Government’s decision to open national consultation on domestic manufacturing of wind and transmission towers and related infrastructure, applauding the initiative as a significant step toward strengthening sovereign industrial capacity and boosting local manufacturing jobs across clean energy supply chains.
The consultation, announced on 9 February 2026 by Minister for Industry and Innovation, Senator the Hon Tim Ayres, and Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen, invites input from businesses across the clean energy manufacturing supply chain to inform policy development and potential future support measures.
“Wind and transmission tower infrastructure is vital to Australia’s energy transition and future industrial resilience, and we’re encouraged by the Australian Government’s proactive approach to understanding how local manufacturing can contribute,” said Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia.
“Australia has set an ambitious target of sourcing 82 per cent of our electricity from renewables by 2030 as a critical step toward net zero by 2050, and that will require billions of dollars in new renewable generation and grid infrastructure. According to AEMO, we’ll need to build around 10,000 kilometres of new transmission lines by 2050, and wind towers—which are up to 90 per cent steel by weight—are exactly the kind of heavy, high-value infrastructure Australia is well suited to manufacture locally.”
“If we fail to build that capability here, we risk exporting not just projects, but jobs, skills and economic value offshore. Every dollar invested in manufacturing generates up to $2.70 in the broader economy, and local production delivers more secure, higher-skilled regional jobs while reducing supply chain risk. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to align Australia’s clean energy transition with sovereign manufacturing capability, and we can’t afford to miss it.”
“This consultation process is an important opportunity for Australian manufacturers to shape how policy and support mechanisms can enable competitive, resilient domestic supply chains for clean energy infrastructure. We strongly advise all stakeholders with an interest in wind and transmission tower manufacture to participate and make a submission,” said Crittenden.
The Government consultation aims to gather insights on existing capabilities, barriers to growth, and policy settings that would support long-term investment and job creation in this emerging sector. The Government has signalled that submissions will help inform advice on manufacturing capability and capacity for wind and transmission towers, including opportunities for steel manufacturers, metal fabricators, and associated industries. It will also shape potential future policy settings under the Future Made in Australia agenda, including the Renewable Energy Technology Manufacturing stream of the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund.
“Local manufacturing of complex infrastructure like wind towers will not only create quality jobs, it will reinforce long-term energy security and supply chain resilience, both of which are critical to Australia’s economic future,” Crittenden added.
Weld Australia’s advocacy through the Wind Tower Manufacturing Group has been instrumental in elevating the conversation around the need for domestic capability in wind and transmission infrastructure. The Group’s submissions and industry engagement helped inform the Government’s decision to open this formal consultation.
“Our members understand the potential of a locally based wind tower manufacturing sector, from regional employment to supply chain innovation,” Crittenden said. “Now we have a platform to articulate that capability, highlight barriers, and ensure policy supports local industry participation at scale.”
Have Your Say
Weld Australia encourages all interested organisations and individuals involved in steel, fabrication, welding and clean energy infrastructure supply chains to make a submission to the Department of Industry before the consultation process closes on 6 March 2026.
Submissions can be made online via the Department of Industry consultation hub: https://consult.industry.gov.au/domestic-manufacturing-of-wind-and-transmission-infrastructure
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). For more information or to join Weld Australia, please visit: https://weldaustralia.com.au/
Contact details:
Sally Wood on 0434 442 687 or [email protected]