New Offshore Wind Zone Sparks Union Concern About Local Manufacturing

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has opened a consultation into a proposed offshore wind project on the coast of Bunbury, Western Australia.

Wind turbines at Albany Wind Farm at sunset in Albany, Western Australia, on Jan. 22, 2024. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

Unions are calling for offshore wind projects to include locally manufactured goods amid a planned wind energy development 20 kilometres (14 miles) off the coast of Burnbury, Western Australia.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen opened a consultation on Feb. 20 for the Bunbury offshore wind zone.

The government touted this zone, south of Perth, as an ideal location for offshore electricity due to the high speed winds in the Indian Ocean.

Australian Manufacturers Workers Union (AMWU) national secretary Steven Murphy is concerned the federal government’s “lack of credible industry policy” will result in “more and more inferior wind towers dumped on Australian projects from overseas.”

“Workers rightly expect announcements around renewable projects also to deliver good local jobs and a thriving industry,” AMWU national secretary Steve Murphy said in quotes cited by Renew Economy.

Mr. Murphy said currently no provisions existed in the Bunbury offshore wind zone to ensure that “Australian produced steel or Australian manufactured goods are included.”

“The reality is, we are in a global race for the jobs of the future, and Australia is standing still.”

But Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen claimed harnessing offshore wind would create “new job opportunities” in Western Australia along with energy security.

He stated the Albanese government was committed to “genuine consultation on offshore wind.”

“That’s why we want communities, industry, and businesses to have their say on an offshore wind area off WA from the very beginning,” Mr. Bowen said.

“Offshore wind will be a critical new clean energy industry for Western Australians as electricity demand increases, helping to provide thousands of jobs along the way.”

Consultation Now Open

The public has until May 3 to make submissions for the potential offshore wind farm. Community information sessions are being held from March 19 to March 21.

The consultation page notes offshore wind projects “do not currently have approval” and will be dependent on various approvals under Australian environmental laws.

Flotation Energy, which is headquartered in Scotland and proposing a 1.5 gigawatt Sea Lion project for the Bunbury offshore wind zone, welcomed the consultation.

Executive director Carolyn Sanders said in a statement, “Western Australia is in the enviable position of having the potential to lead the development of the offshore wind supply chain in Australia through its ports and manufacturing capabilities.”

“An offshore wind industry in Western Australia can significantly support energy intensive industries close to the desired points of connection, including hydrogen production facilities, lithium hydroxide plants, green steel manufacturing, and seawater desalination plants.”

Greenpeace Australia pacific head of climate and energy Jess Panegyres Western Australia said was “one of the windiest places in the world” and perfectly placed to “become a renewable energy superpower.”

“Western Australia is in the grips of the climate crisis, and so many of us are being crunched by rising costs of living,” she said.

“We don’t need more polluting fossil fuels like gas for local energy or export revenue when we have all we need, right here and now, to provide West Australians with a sustainable future.”