Businesses across Australia’s clean energy and manufacturing sectors are being invited to help shape the future of wind and transmission tower manufacturing, as part of the Australian government’s drive to strengthen domestic supply chains and boost renewable energy capability.
The consultation, now open through the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, will explore opportunities to increase Australia’s capacity to produce wind generation infrastructure and the steel‑intensive components that support it.
The initiative aims to deliver quality regional jobs, expand advanced manufacturing, and enhance long‑term energy security and resilience in national supply chains.
“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,” a government spokesperson said.
Wind towers and their components require substantial volumes of steel, offering a pathway for Australian producers and fabricators to expand their role in the renewable energy transition.
The Australian government wants to harness this opportunity to ensure that local manufacturers, workers, and communities directly benefit from the infrastructure investment critical to Australia’s clean energy future and Future Made in Australia ambition.
As part of the process, the government will gather industry input to help shape the Renewable Energy Technology Manufacturing stream of the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund.
Businesses of all sizes, from steel manufacturers and metal fabricators to engineering and logistics firms, are being encouraged to participate by highlighting their capabilities, sharing insights on market dynamics, and identifying barriers to competitiveness.
The consultation seeks feedback in several key areas, including:
- Australia’s current and potential manufacturing capability for wind and transmission towers.
- Opportunities for local steel producers and small to medium‑sized enterprises in tower production.
- Policy and market settings to attract long‑term investment and strengthen supply chain resilience.
Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres said the initiative was about ensuring the nation’s industrial strengths align with the renewable energy transformation ahead.
“By leveraging the massive wave of renewable energy investment, we have a once in a generational opportunity to support Australian manufacturing,” Minister Ayres said.
“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.”
Minister for Energy and Climate Change Chris Bowen said Australia’s participation in the global shift to clean energy was both an environmental and economic imperative.
“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 Minister Bowen.
“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.”
The consultation on domestic manufacturing of wind and transmission infrastructure is open until Friday, 6 March 2026.
Submissions can be made at: https://consult.industry.gov.au/domestic-manufacturing-of-wind-and-transmission-infrastructure.
