Joint media release with Minister for Energy and Climate Change Chris Bowen.

Businesses from across clean energy manufacturing supply chains are being invited to help shape the future of wind and transmission tower manufacturing in Australia. 

There is a clear opportunity to boost domestic capability in wind generation, and the transmission infrastructure needed that will deliver reliable and affordable energy to Australians.

Wind towers and their components require a significant amount of steel and the Albanese Government wants to harness this opportunity to build quality jobs, boost regional industry and strengthen long-term energy security and supply chain resilience.

The Albanese Government will consult industry as part of examining the opportunities for manufacturing in Australia.

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

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

Businesses of all sizes across the supply chain are encouraged to share feedback on opportunities and capabilities, and to identify key barriers and pressures.

The Government is seeking input on: 

• Australia’s current and potential manufacturing capability and capacity for wind and transmission towers
• The potential opportunities for Australian steel manufacturers, metal fabricators and other businesses in the domestic production of wind towers and transmission towers
• Suggestions for making local manufacturing for wind and transmission towers more competitive and resilient
• Insights on market conditions and policy settings that encourage long-term investment 

The consultation is now open and closes Friday 6 March 2026. You can find out more and make your submission here: https://consult.industry.gov.au/domestic-manufacturing-of-wind-and-transmission-infrastructure 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres:

“By leveraging the massive wave of renewable energy investment, we have a once in a generational opportunity to support Australian manufacturing.

“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.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Climate Change Chris Bowen:

"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.

"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. 

"We're building a cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy system to secure our energy future and grow our local industry."