The Western Australian Government has announced a $500,000 co-investment in National Electric Motor Services (NEMS) to expand local manufacturing and servicing capabilities for wind turbine generators in Malaga.
The funding, provided through the Wind Energy Manufacturing Co-Investment Program, will support NEMS in refurbishing and servicing wind turbine generators locally, according to the WA Government.
The investment is intended to expand the company’s capabilities in heavy lifting and handling, automated high-capacity testing, thermal processing and advanced quality assurance systems for the wind energy sector.
The government said the facility could reduce reliance on international service providers and improve turnaround times for wind farm operators that currently need to send repair work overseas.
Manufacturing Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the investment formed part of the government’s broader efforts to build local capability in the renewable energy supply chain.
“The Cook Labor Government is delivering an energy transition that’s Made In WA,” Sanderson said.
“We’ve invested more than $5.5 million in the local renewable sector through the Wind Energy Manufacturing Co-Investment program, stimulating more than $14 million in investment.”
The co-investment program provides up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs, with participating industry partners required to match the government contribution.
To date, the program has provided $5,544,287 in co-investment to WA wind energy manufacturers, with previous recipients including Australian Winders, Turbine Solutions, RCR Mining Technologies and CamCo Engineering.
West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti said the NEMS project would expand opportunities for skilled work in Malaga and surrounding suburbs.
“NEMS is an important local business, and this investment will help it grow into a state-of-the-art facility servicing the wind energy sector,” Saffioti said.
WA currently has 25 large wind farms scheduled for development over the coming decades, according to the government, including projects with capacities above one gigawatt.
