UPDATE: An urgent asbestos scare is shaking the wind energy sector, as Goldwind Australia has discovered contamination in turbine components. This alarming finding has prompted a nationwide audit and has raised significant safety concerns for workers and the integrity of renewable energy projects across New South Wales and beyond.
The contamination, traced back to brake pads supplied by 3S Industry, has been identified in turbines deployed across various states including Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, and Western Australia. Although the contaminated components are internal and not directly exposed to the public, the safety of local workers involved in maintenance and logistics is now in jeopardy.
Access to the affected turbines has been strictly limited to sampling activities. Personnel must utilize appropriate personal protective equipment as advised by occupational hygienists. Goldwind operates or has supplied turbines at 475 of the more than 2,000 turbines across Australia, though the exact number of units containing asbestos remains unclear.
Goldwind has claimed that independent assessments found the occupational health risk to be “very low,” identifying the problem through proactive testing. However, this assurance has not quelled the immediate regulatory response. WorkSafe Victoria and various state and federal authorities are now collaborating to devise a coordinated response plan to assess risks and establish safe removal procedures.
The implications of this discovery extend beyond immediate safety concerns. The contamination threatens the future of planned energy projects in the Hay and Balranald regions. Currently, the proposed Baldon Wind Farm, located just 13 kilometers north of Moulamein, is set to construct 45 wind turbines. Stage one of this project lies within the Murray River Council area, and two more wind farms in the Hay region have received approval for further development.
The Pottinger Energy Park, a collaboration between Someva and AGL, plans to build up to 115 turbines, while Bullawah Wind Farm, operated by BayWa r.e, aims for up to 143 turbines. Marteena Mackenzie, Bullawah’s community engagement manager, emphasized their commitment to health and safety, stating, “BayWa r.e. takes worker and community health seriously.” She noted awareness of the issue at another operator’s site in Tasmania and highlighted that no BayWa r.e project will utilize components containing asbestos.
The importation of asbestos into Australia has been strictly prohibited since 2003, and this incident follows a recent situation where asbestos-contaminated sand imported from China resulted in the closure of several schools and childcare centers elsewhere in the nation.
Goldwind has initiated a program for checks and planned replacements, notifying all relevant authorities. This urgent situation unfolds as the Australian Government races to pass reforms to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act before Parliament adjourns.
The wind energy industry is now under immense scrutiny, with workers’ safety and public health at the forefront. As developments continue, all eyes are on the regulatory actions and the future of renewable energy projects nationwide.
