Asbestos Now Found in Turbines at Newly Opened $1 Billion Queensland Wind Farm

Air quality testing is being carried out as investigations continue into Australian wind farms using Chinese-made components.

Clouds can be seen above power-generating wind turbines at the Capital Wind Farm, located at Lake George, near the town of Bungendore, Australia, on March 25, 2025. David Gray/AFP via Getty Images

The Clean Energy Council has weighed in on the latest discovery of asbestos-laden components in Australian wind turbine lifts.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest’s brand new $1 billion Clarke Creek Wind Farm in regional Queensland was confirmed as the latest affected site linked to the Chinese-owned developer and renewables supplier, Goldwind.

In turn, the wind turbines used asbestos-contaminated brake pad components for their internal service lifts, which are supplied by China’s 3S Industry.

Clarke Creek only just opened in October and include 100 turbines each standing at 207 metres.

The latest discovery comes after asbestos was discovered in the Goldwind-backed Cattle Hill in Tasmania, Golden Plains in Victoria, and Biala in New South Wales.

Clean Energy Council Chief Policy Officer William Churchill said the organisation was working with key stakeholders, but test results were delayed due an uptick in workload after the discovery of asbestos in imported sand in schools.

“The number of impacted sites is yet to be established,” Churchill said in a statement.

“Testing is underway across wind projects, as a precautionary measure.

“Our members are reporting slight delays in test results coming back due to Australian laboratories also testing recalled coloured educational sand products.”

Parents and educators have been urged to dispose of the Chinese-made product.

Asbestos Not Airborne

Churchill said air quality testing on wind farms has also not detected the presence of airborne asbestos.

“The risk to maintenance workers has also been assessed as very low, given the brake pads are enclosed within the lift system,” he said.

“Where asbestos has been identified in the brake and clutch pads of the service lifts, affected components have been isolated, an exclusion zone established, and the process of replacement is underway.”

Regulators have also been briefed, and the Clean Energy Council says they are satisfied with the steps taken by industry.

“Manufacturers of these parts generally have global operations and service a range of industries that involve working at heights,” Churchill said.

“The industry is in the process of reviewing how asbestos-containing materials were able to enter Australia and make their way into project supply chains.”

The importation of asbestos or asbestos-containing products into Australia is illegal.

The Clean Energy Council says investigations are continuing, as uncertainty remains around how many other Australian wind farms could be affected.

In response, a spokesperson for Squadron Energy, which operates Clarke Creek, said Goldwind was remediating the issue.

“This is an industry-wide issue stemming from a component that would fit in the palm of your hand,” they said.

“There has been no detection of airborne asbestos and work is underway to resolve the issue.

“There is no risk to the community and the health and safety of staff and community members remains our number one priority.”