Businesses that manufacture concrete wind turbine towers or their foundations are about to get a tail wind in their direction from the Australian Government.
A new consultation was announced yesterday by the Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Bowen, to “help shape the future of wind and transmission tower manufacturing in Australia”.
Through this consultation, his department would like to understand more about the ‘opportunities, barriers and outlook” for Australia’s wind and transmission infrastructure supply chain.
“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,” Mr Bowen stated.
While the minister referred to wind towers and their components requiring a significant amount of steel, these towers are increasingly made out of concrete or in steel on a concrete base.
As a company which produces a range of cementitious grout, protective systems, sealants and structural adhesives that bind the components together, Institute Gold member Sika said the use of concrete as the base material in wind turbine towers is increasing every year.
Specifically, what is being sought by the government is information on:
Australia’s current and potential manufacturing capability and capacity for wind and transmission towers; and the potential opportunities for Australian steel manufacturers, metal fabricators and related businesses to expand their roles in the domestic production of wind towers and transmission towers.
The government is also seeking suggestions for making local manufacturing for wind and transmission towers more competitive and resilient; and insights on how the industry engages with opportunities and risks with foreign investment in manufacturing.
Submissions to theconsultation close Friday, 6 March 2026.
Image credit: Sika Australia
About the author
Desi Corbett
Desi is the Editor of Concrete in Australia, at the helm since December 2013, and our weekly news writer since 2016. Focused on concrete and construction for more than 11 years, her expertise in this field forms part of a journalism career spanning three decades. To get in touch please email desi@corbettcomms.com