Keppel Prince to Close Wind Turbine Operations Amid Global Competition

Australia’s sole wind turbine tower manufacturer, Keppel Prince, will halt its operations in Portland, Victoria, citing an inability to compete with cheaper imports from China. This closure marks a setback for domestic renewable energy manufacturing, raising questions about governmental support and trade policies.

Keppel Prince has fought for over 15 years to sustain operations, facing challenges like:

Uncertainty in renewable energy policies.

Competition from subsidized Asian steel imports.

Lack of consistent government support across administrations.

Executive Director Stephen Garner criticized the federal and Victorian governments for failing to provide the certainty needed to compete globally.

Recent reports, including one from The Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work, highlighted the potential of domestic wind turbine manufacturing. According to the report:

A workforce of 4,000 could produce 818 towers annually, valued at $15 billion over 17 years.

Local production could cut 2.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions from reduced shipping.

Despite this potential, Keppel Prince’s closure reflects a broader failure to capitalize on renewable manufacturing opportunities in Australia.

While the current Albanese government faces criticism, Keppel Prince’s struggles span multiple administrations, including the Rudd, Abbott, and Morrison governments. Notably, in 2022, workers protested against imported wind towers, alleging they cost jobs and led to inferior-quality products requiring recalls.

The closure underscores the urgent need for:

Local content policies to prioritize Australian manufacturing.

Government support to shield domestic industries from unfair competition.

Strategic investments in renewable energy manufacturing to secure high-skill, high-wage jobs in regional Australia.

Without significant policy shifts, Australia risks losing a critical industry pivotal to its clean energy future.

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