A Bunbury engineering firm will pilot local production of wind turbine components after securing more than $2 million in government co-investment.
RCR Advanced Technologies, part of the RCR Mining Technologies group, is the second recipient under the Cook Government’s $8 million Wind Energy Manufacturing Co-Investment Program.
The $5.3 million project will focus on manufacturing transition flanges, which connect turbine towers to their foundations and are currently produced overseas.
The company will receive $2,047,900 in matched funding to expand its Bunbury workshop, purchase specialised machinery, and upgrade quality control systems to meet international turbine developer standards.
RCR is in negotiations with global manufacturers, including Vestas, to produce flanges locally, aiming to reduce reliance on imports, cut shipping costs, and improve supply chain certainty.
The project is forecast to create up to 48 jobs and generate $36 million in revenue over the next five years. The investment will also support workforce training for future refurbishment of high-value turbine components such as gearboxes and drive shafts.
Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said: “RCR Advanced Technologies is harnessing its strong track record in manufacturing by expanding its capabilities and creating new jobs to deliver critical components for the growing wind energy sector.”
RCR Advanced Technologies Manager Neville Kelly said: “RCR is in a prime position to upskill local workers and provide employment related to modern energy sources, while leveraging our mining sector heritage in engineering projects to meet burgeoning demand from the onshore wind energy supply chain in Western Australia.”
The program, delivered in partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, funds up to half of eligible project costs, with industry partners required to co-invest. It supports manufacturers at both market-entry and growth stages. RCR joins Australian Winders as the second recipient, with more than $2.5 million committed to date.
With several WA wind farms exceeding one gigawatt in the pipeline, state officials say the program aims to anchor a competitive local manufacturing base to underpin the transition to clean energy.