The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre will drive the Western Australian government’s $8 million plan to boost wind turbine component manufacturing in the state.
Formerly operating as one of the federal Industry Growth Centres, the now independent AMGC will administer a new industry support program aimed at developing local capacity and capability for wind turbine manufacturing and servicing.
Under an agreement signed with the WA state government on Thursday afternoon, the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre will deliver grants and non-financial support, in line with recommendations in a feasibility study produced by engineering consultancy Aurecon.
That report identified manufacturing of towers, foundations and blades as potential opportunities that could be leveraged through investment in local capability and increased automation.
The AMGC administered program will support prequalification processes for wind turbine componentry with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), as well as the upgrade of plant and equipment, and provision of professional advice.
The $8 million in funding was committed in the 2024-25 state budget as a part of stage one of the Wind Turbine Manufacturing Initiative to deliver the new industry support program.
The first stage of the initiative is centered on scoping and preparation, and was preceded by a pre-feasibility study completed in 2020. In response to its recommendations, the state government budget an initial $10 million in the five years from the 2021-22 state budget.
This was followed by a 2023 feasibility study completed by Aurecon that considered opportunities for wind farm componentry manufacturing, maintenance, and operation in Western Australia.
The work on the Wind Turbine Manufacturing Initiative is being led by a small team in the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science, and Innovation which is supported by an interagency working group.
With wind accounting for nearly 34 per cent of Australia’s renewable power generation last year and installations expected to increase significantly in the state, Minister for Innovation and assisting the minister for state and industry development Stephen Dawson said there is “a significant opportunity for our local advanced manufacturing industry”.
“We want to provide funding and opportunity for these local businesses to supply parts to projects across our State, and across the nation, which will ultimately increase their competitiveness in local and global markets,” Mr Dawson said.
In a statement, AMGC managing director Dr Jens Goennemann highlighted Aurecon’s finding that the state has transferable skills from the defence, resources, and energy sectors.
Dr Goennemann said the agreement with the state government “will encourage local manufacturers to leverage their capabilities and turn them towards the wind generation industry”.
