From Watts Up With That?

Essay by Eric Worrall

Following discovery of asbestos lift brake pads in Chinese manufactured Aussie turbines, turbine operators are conducting a frantic audit.

Asbestos turbine threat spreads, as Tim Wilson calls for renewables supply chain investigation

More Australian windfarms have been placed under internal investigations for asbestos exposure, as a shadow minister calls for a probe into the nation’s renewables supply chain. 

Max Aldred and Conor Breslin
November 25, 2025 – 3:55PM

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On Friday, operator Goldwind discovered asbestos in lift brake pads at its Cattle Hill wind farm in Tasmania.  

The Clean Energy Regulator, SafeWork New South Wales, and WorkSafe Victoria all launched investigations into the discovery.

The investigations prompted other wind farm operators to check their brake pads.

Over the weekend, Goldwind revealed they tested the parts – supplied by Chinese manufacturer 3S Industries – and found they did contain asbestos.  

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Danish-owned Vestas, which operates more than one dozen projects across Australia, is also investigating any potential risks of asbestos exposure after ordering brake parts which may contain asbestos.  

…Read more: https://www.skynews.com.au/business/energy/asbestos-turbine-threat-spreads-as-tim-wilson-calls-for-renewables-supply-chain-investigation/news-story/d8d75319cb066c757bdf98762a7e44f3

According to their website 3S Industry specialises in industrial elevator and safety equipment, the kind of elevator platforms which carry technicians who want to service equipment on top of the turbine. But 3S Industry doesn’t just supply wind turbines, their products are also widely used in the construction industry. It seems unlikely asbestos brake pads were only used in wind turbines, so there could be asbestos contamination in office buildings, food sourced from farms adjacent to wind turbines which use 3S equipment, playgrounds and schools – anywhere 3S industry elevator or lifting equipment has been used.

I also doubt the scandal is limited to Australia. How much Asbestos is being used in British and US wind turbines lifts?

Is the scandal just confined to the lifts? Wind turbines also contain large friction clutches, which used to contain Asbestos until Asbestos was banned. Can we be sure there is no Asbestos inside Chinese turbine friction clutches, without dismantling them for inspection?

Asbestos is a long-term cancer risk, the fibers have been linked to Mesothelioma, a nasty form of cancer which mostly affects the lungs and stomach. The microscopic fibers get stuck in vulnerable tissues, where they cause long term irritation leading to cancer. While the risk rises with amount of exposure, it only takes one microscopic fiber stuck in the wrong place to potentially kill you.