Renewable Energy

Australia's renewable energy sector is at an inflection point, with offshore wind foundations becoming a focal point as the industry transitions from policy to procurement. The onshore wind and solar capacity is expanding rapidly, while the growing interest in green hydrogen, carbon capture, and energy storage is driving demand for structural steel infrastructure that didn't exist five years ago. 

STS is actively engaged in Australia's renewable energy supply chain, particularly focusing on offshore wind foundations, where our technical knowledge and global mill relationships provide developers, EPCs, and fabricators with a genuine supply chain advantage. We are also building capabilities across the emerging new energy categories, such as green hydrogen, that will define the next decade of Australian infrastructure investment.

Offshore wind foundations made from structural steel — including monopiles, jackets, transition pieces, and offshore substation structures — represent some of the most technically demanding procurement processes in the world. These heavy wall, large diameter plate and tubular products are manufactured to stringent offshore structural specifications and are sourced from a limited number of qualified mills worldwide. 

This category is particularly scarce in the Australian domestic market. Developers and fabricators aiming to engage in the Australian offshore wind supply chain require an experienced international supply partner who comprehends the specifications, knows which mills can deliver, and can manage the entire supply chain from mill to yard. 

STS provides this essential capability. Through our partnership with CWHI, one of Asia's premier fabricators of offshore wind foundations, we leverage established expertise in the fabrication of monopiles, jackets, and transition pieces. This collaboration combines international manufacturing know-how with local market insights to support Australian offshore wind projects, including those focused on green hydrogen, from early supply strategy to material delivery. 

We engage with developers and EPCs at the initial stages of project planning, where decisions regarding supply strategy, mill qualification, and lead time management significantly influence project outcomes. 

Key products include: 

- Offshore grade heavy plate for monopile and jacket fabrication 

- Large diameter SAW and seamless tubulars for jacket chord and brace members 

- Offshore structural sections and hollow sections for transition piece and substation structure fabrication.

Australia's onshore renewable energy build-out is driving sustained demand for structural steel, particularly in applications such as wind tower fabrication, solar farm support structures, grid connection infrastructure, and onshore substation construction. This growth is also paving the way for developments in green hydrogen initiatives and the integration of offshore wind foundations into the energy landscape. 

STS supplies structural steel packages for onshore renewable energy projects, utilizing our global mill network when Australian domestic supply cannot meet specifications, schedules, or cost requirements. We manage logistics and documentation with the same high standards we apply to our offshore programmes. 

Key products include: 

- High-yield structural plate and sections for wind tower fabrication 

- Structural sections and hollow sections for solar farm support structures and grid infrastructure.

CCS is an increasingly important part of Australia's energy and industrial decarbonisation pathway, particularly with the rise of green hydrogen and offshore wind foundations. The CO₂ capture, compression, transportation, and injection infrastructure requires structural steel that is rated for high-pressure CO₂ service, including materials that perform reliably in the presence of wet CO₂ streams, which are significantly more corrosive than dry CO₂. 

STS is developing specialist supply capability in this area, engaging with CCS project teams at early development stages where supply strategy decisions have the most impact on project cost and schedule.

Key products:

- High-pressure pipe, fittings, and flanges for CO₂ service

- Clad pipe for wet CO₂ transportation systems

- Duplex and super duplex for corrosive injection and capture system applications

- Pressure vessel plate for surface CCS facilities

Green hydrogen production and export is one of Australia's most significant emerging industrial opportunities, with multiple large-scale projects under development across Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory. The production of green hydrogen, along with storage and transmission infrastructure, necessitates specialized steel requirements, including pipe, fittings, and pressure vessel steel that must be compatible with hydrogen service conditions and rated for the pressures involved. Additionally, the development of offshore wind foundations will play a crucial role in supporting this industry. STS is collaborating with early-stage hydrogen project teams to identify compliant material specifications and develop supply routes for what remains a relatively specialized procurement category in the Australian market. Key products include: Carbon and stainless pipe, fittings, and flanges for hydrogen service; pressure vessel plate for hydrogen storage and processing vessels; and structural steel for electrolyser facilities and hydrogen export terminal infrastructure.

Specialist knowledge of offshore wind foundations, including steel specifications, is crucial for the industry. We offer access to qualified heavy plate and tubular mills for the supply of monopile and jacket structures. Through our CWHI partnership, we connect Australian projects to world-class foundation fabrication capabilities, enhancing the development of offshore wind foundations. Additionally, we provide early-stage supply strategy support for developers and EPCs, enabling them to integrate green hydrogen initiatives. This support empowers Australian fabricators to compete effectively in the offshore wind supply chain while also developing supply capabilities across structural steel categories relevant to hydrogen, CCS, and new energy sectors.