New windfarms welcome, but will see local manufacturers sidelined over Chinese imports: Weld Australia
Three newly-approved wind farms for NSW will benefit Australia’s shift to renewable energy, though will help Chinese rather than local manufacturers, industry body Weld Australia has said.
Welcoming the farms at Liverpool Range, Spicers Creek, and Hills of Gold, Weld Australia claimed them as “a necessary step forward in Australia’s renewable energy revolution”, yet will see “local manufacturers sidelined”.
The approvals were announced by federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek earlier this month, following “state government processes including community consultation”.
Weld Australia CEO Geoff Crittenden said in a statement on Tuesday that the news “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.”
Crittenden’s organisation said 77 renewable energy projects had now been approved by the federal government, though the government had failed to mandate Australian-made steel and welders. The mothballing of Keppel Prince’s Portland site last year was cited.
Keppel Prince was the turbine tower maker in the country, and blamed difficulties including government inaction on cheap imports from Asia.
“Without clear, enforceable local content requirements, we will continue to see Australian manufacturers shut their doors while foreign suppliers reap the benefits,” said Crittenden.
“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.”
Weld Australia’s recommendations for all new renewable energy projects include use of 100 per cent Australian steel, construction in compliance with Australian Standards to ensure quality and safety, and fabrication completed by Australian welders unless there is a legitimate reason why this cannot be done.
Picture: credit BlueScope Distribution
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