Australia’s wind energy sector is continuing to work closely with regulators and manufacturers following the discovery of asbestos within brake pad components of internal service equipment in a small number of wind turbines supplied by third-party manufacturers.
According to the Clean Energy Council, industry has moved swiftly to assess the scale of the issue, implement controls and prioritise the safety of workers and surrounding communities.
William Churchill, Chief Policy and Impact Officer at Clean Energy Council, said members are undertaking extensive due diligence across multiple sites and states to identify any potential impacts, with each organisation managing assessments under its own established processes.
“As a result of this work, all manufacturers now have clarity on the scale of impacts across their own affected sites and are responding accordingly to put safety first and rectify the issue,” Churchill said.
He noted that some members have experienced minor delays in receiving laboratory test results, largely due to Australian testing facilities also managing unrelated recalls of coloured educational sand products. Despite this, regulators are satisfied with the industry’s response, including the rapid rollout of on-site environmental testing as soon as the issue became known.
Where traces of asbestos have been identified in brake and clutch pad components, affected equipment has been isolated and exclusion zones established where required until testing is complete. Independent occupational hygienists have conducted air quality monitoring across impacted sites, confirming no detection of airborne asbestos beyond measurable thresholds.
“Testing to date has confirmed zero risk of community exposure,” Churchill said.
“The risk to maintenance workers has also been assessed as either very low or presenting no quantifiable risk.”
Remediation underway
Remediation works are now progressing in coordination with state-based authorities, guided by asbestos management plans and qualified occupational hygiene experts. Replacement of affected brake pad components is underway, with manufacturers working to ensure all remediation is completed safely and in line with regulatory requirements.
The Clean Energy Council is continuing to engage with members to track progress and has confirmed manufacturers are exceeding minimum state-based testing requirements to provide additional assurance. However, timelines will vary by manufacturer and jurisdiction, reflecting different regulatory frameworks and the detailed nature of the work. Remediation is expected to continue into 2026.
To prevent recurrence, comprehensive testing and supplier certification programs have been implemented to ensure all replacement brake pads entering Australia are free from contamination, reinforcing the industry’s zero-tolerance approach to asbestos.
The industry, alongside relevant government authorities, is also reviewing how asbestos-containing materials were able to enter Australian supply chains, with a focus on strengthening safeguards.
Clarifying reports on quarantined turbines
Recent media coverage of wind turbine components docked at the Port of Geelong has prompted clarification from industry. Orders containing affected brake pads were placed before the issue was known and were already in transit when new information emerged. Upon arrival, the components were immediately quarantined.
The brake pads, which are sealed within lift systems inside turbine towers, pose no risk to people and will be safely removed and replaced by trained professionals. Manufacturers have confirmed all future shipments will use certified, non-impacted components under enhanced testing regimes.
“The Clean Energy Council and our members take safety extremely seriously,” Churchill said.
“We have zero tolerance for asbestos on any project in Australia and will continue to work with regulators and governments until this issue is fully resolved.”
Further updates will be provided as investigations and remediation works continue.
