Report findings summary: Wind farm componentry manufacturing, maintenance, and operation in Western Australia, 2023.
Stage 1 of the Wind Turbine Manufacturing Initiative explored the potential opportunities for WA businesses in wind energy manufacturing and servicing through an independent full feasibility study to Government, conducted by Aurecon.
Aurecon’s report to the WA Government, 'Wind farm componentry manufacturing, maintenance and operation in Western Australia, 2023', identified existing opportunities for WA businesses to participate in wind energy supply chains.
Aurecon’s report suggests that WA businesses may be able to:
- Participate in manufacturing of some wind farm componentry, either independently or in partnership with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
- Provide wind turbine maintenance and operation services.
- Undertake construction.
The report suggests that government support is needed to further develop and drive industry capacity and capabilities in order to enable participation in wind energy supply chains. It highlights WA’s strong engineering capabilities and transferrable skills from existing industries, such as oil and gas, but points out that specific skills, pre-qualifications and physical capability for wind energy manufacturing and servicing are required.
Considering the high cost of setting up manufacturing capability and to support competitiveness against established global industry players, the report suggests a gradual scale-up in manufacturing capacity. It is suggested this would allow a strategic development of capabilities that would cater for emerging requirements as market conditions continue to develop, particularly in offshore wind.
More details on opportunities identified by the report that WA businesses could explore are below.
Manufacturing opportunities
Show moreBased on existing capabilities in WA, the report identifies several manufacturing opportunities for local businesses. Key areas include the manufacturing of towers, foundations and blades. To fully leverage these opportunities, investment in enhancing capabilities and increased automation is important.
Onshore construction/provision of operation and maintenance services
Show moreThe report identified that these remain viable areas of operation for WA business. Additional equipment and skills development might be needed to continue to realise this opportunity, particularly for operations and maintenance services.
Manufacturing with/for an OEM
Show moreThe report indicates that WA manufacturers could plausibly adopt a collaborative approach, contracting for or partnering with OEMs, to pursue opportunities to manufacture rotor/hubs, bedplates, nacelle covers (including spinner) and nacelle assembly. Businesses undertaking independent activities are unlikely to compete on component design and will need to build confidence across OEMs on their product’s quality, including via pre-qualifications and building a track record.
Reconditioning and repair
Show moreThe report highlighted there is also potential for WA businesses to recondition and repair gearboxes, pitch and yaw systems, generators and main bearings and shafts.
End of life recovering or recycling
Show moreThe report noted that recovering or recycling of wind farm and wind turbine components might be somewhat feasible in the future, but given WA’s young turbine fleet, recycling is not expected to be an area of development in the next few years. Further, the report highlights that the logistics around transporting very large-scale components to recycling facilities should be considered.
Contact us
Show moreFor more information, please direct your enquiries to the JTSI Wind Turbine Manufacturing Initiative team: wind@jtsi.wa.gov.au
