Consultation seeks practical insights from firms supplying renewable builds
A federal consultation is gathering detailed industry evidence on production capacity, supply-chain constraints and investment signals to guide how Australia may expand domestic manufacturing linked to future wind and transmission projects.
The Australian Government has launched a consultation inviting businesses across clean energy manufacturing to provide practical insights into the production of wind towers and transmission infrastructure. The process is designed to capture data on current capability, emerging pressures and the outlook for local manufacturing as renewable energy projects scale.
Submissions will help inform future policy development and program design, including funding streams connected to the Future Made in Australia initiative. Industry participants are encouraged to outline both opportunities and constraints affecting their ability to supply components domestically.
Understanding the current manufacturing landscape
Consultation material notes that Australia presently relies on imports for wind tower sections and most transmission tower components, while domestic production is concentrated on smaller fabricated parts. The process aims to build a clearer picture of existing facilities, workforce skills and supply-chain linkages to identify where expansion may be feasible.
Stakeholders are also being asked to provide evidence on demand forecasts, including how a steady pipeline of renewable energy projects could influence investment decisions in steel fabrication and related manufacturing activities.
Barriers, competitiveness and supply-chain resilience
A key focus of the consultation is identifying the factors that shape competitiveness for local manufacturers. Businesses are invited to comment on operating costs, access to finance, regulatory settings and workforce availability, as well as broader pressures such as logistics capacity and exposure to international market fluctuations.
The consultation also examines how government policy — including local content approaches and capital support — could affect investment certainty and industry participation across the supply chain.
Role in future policy and funding decisions
Insights gathered through submissions will be used to guide policy options aimed at strengthening domestic participation in renewable energy infrastructure delivery. The findings will contribute to the design of initiatives intended to support manufacturing capability, workforce development and long-term supply-chain reliability.
“By leveraging the massive wave of renewable energy investment, we have a once in a generational opportunity to support Australian manufacturing,” Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres said.
Consultation timeframe
The consultation is open to businesses of all sizes involved in wind and transmission supply chains, including steel producers, fabricators, engineering firms and service providers. Feedback will be accepted until 6 March 2026, after which the government will review submissions to inform next steps in domestic clean energy manufacturing policy.
