Australia Faces Job Losses with Wind Tower Manufacturing Setback

Tamor Blog

Australia’s last domestic wind turbine tower manufacturer, Keppel Prince, has announced plans to mothball its operations in March next year, citing its inability to compete with cheaper Chinese imports. The closure, based in Portland, Victoria, will result in the loss of approximately a dozen jobs and raises broader concerns about the country’s manufacturing sector.

Keppel Prince executive director Stephen Garner has criticized both federal and Victorian governments for failing to address the challenges posed by heavily subsidised Asian steel imports. Garner highlighted the inconsistency of government policies, particularly as leaders promote domestic manufacturing while neglecting to support industries like renewable energy production.

“They talk about rebuilding manufacturing and supporting renewable energy, but they’ve left us no choice but to shut down,” Garner said, pointing to the lack of action against subsidised imports.

The closure underscores the economic and strategic risks of over-reliance on imports, particularly from China. A recent report by The Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work warned that Australia’s manufacturing base remains underdeveloped. The study argued that producing wind turbine towers domestically could create 4,000 jobs and generate $15 billion in economic value over 17 years while avoiding significant carbon emissions through reduced shipping.

The loss of Keppel Prince is a stark reminder of missed opportunities. Union representatives have also voiced frustration. In 2022, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) protests highlighted the job losses caused by imported wind towers and demanded stronger local content rules.

While the Albanese government’s “Future Made in Australia” push promotes domestic manufacturing in sectors like solar PV and battery systems, the collapse of the wind tower sector is a setback. Critics, including opposition politicians, have used the closure to attack government policies, but the issue spans decades of inconsistent support from governments of all stripes.

Without robust and stable policies, Australia’s ability to sustain critical manufacturing industries remains uncertain. For the workers at Keppel Prince, this failure represents more than just an industry challenge it’s a loss of livelihood and a blow to regional economies that rely on skilled manufacturing jobs. Addressing this crisis will require bipartisan commitment to prioritising Australian-made solutions and protecting jobs in emerging industries.