GLOBAL – Australian authorities have launched a nationwide investigation following the discovery of asbestos, a banned carcinogen, inside components of wind turbines operated by Goldwind Australia, a subsidiary of the major Chinese manufacturer Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology. The finding, confirmed by Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, has triggered a national safety alert and raises serious concerns about the integrity of the global supply chain for renewable energy technology.

The hazardous material was identified in brake pads within the internal lifts of turbines at the Cattle Hill wind farm in Tasmania. These components were reportedly supplied by another China-based company, 3S Industry, a major parts provider to the broader wind energy sector. While initial assessments by Goldwind suggest the immediate health risk to workers is "very low" due to the non-friable (bonded) nature of the material, access to all affected turbines has been restricted as a precaution. State-level regulators, including WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW, are now coordinating a national response to determine how widespread the contamination is, with fears that numerous wind farms across the country could be impacted.

Implications for Kenya's Energy Sector

This incident in a developed nation with stringent import prohibitions—Australia banned asbestos in 2003—serves as a stark warning for Kenya. As Kenya rapidly expands its renewable energy capacity to meet its Vision 2030 goals, the country relies heavily on imported technology for its landmark projects, including Africa's largest wind farm at Lake Turkana and the Kipeto Wind Power Station. The Lake Turkana project, for instance, utilizes 365 turbines from Danish manufacturer Vestas, while Kipeto uses turbines from General Electric.

While the specific supplier implicated in Australia, Goldwind, has a significant and growing presence in Africa, including projects in South Africa and Ethiopia, there is no public information confirming their turbines are used in Kenya. However, the Australian case underscores a universal vulnerability. The complexity of global manufacturing, where components are sourced from multiple international suppliers, creates significant oversight challenges. This raises critical questions for Kenyan regulatory bodies, primarily the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), regarding the thoroughness of inspection and verification protocols for imported energy infrastructure.

Kenya has its own regulations and national guidelines for the safe management of asbestos, a substance known to cause fatal diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer after prolonged exposure. The discovery abroad highlights the urgent need for enhanced vigilance at ports of entry and mandatory, independent verification of components used in both public and private energy projects to ensure they are free from banned hazardous materials.

Global Supply Chain Under Scrutiny

The Australian government has placed the responsibility squarely on importers to guarantee their products are asbestos-free. Minister Bowen stated that federal agencies are working closely with state regulators to ensure "every possible check is being undertaken." In response, opposition figures have called for a "full audit" of all wind farms in the country to ascertain the full scale of the problem.

The detection of asbestos in a supposedly 'green' technology component is a significant blow to the renewable energy industry's reputation and highlights a potential systemic failure in quality control and materials verification. The problem may not be isolated, as sources suggest the parts supplier, 3S Industry, provides components to nearly every turbine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supplying Australia. The ongoing investigation in Australia will be closely watched globally, with potential ramifications for international trade, manufacturing standards, and workplace safety protocols in the rapidly growing wind power sector. For developing nations like Kenya, it is a crucial lesson in the necessity of robust, independent, and transparent vetting of the entire technology supply chain.