Bonfiglioli supports wind sector growth as investment lifts
he 2026 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) ranks Australia 56th globally, down from 52nd in 2025, noting that while emissions reduction targets of up to 70% by 2035 have been set, detailed pathways to achieve them remain limited.
While the index focuses on Australia, the transition challenges it highlights are equally relevant in New Zealand, where investment in renewable generation, grid infrastructure and system resilience continues to shape the energy landscape.
“Countries that are actively prioritising the shift to net zero and are investing in renewable energy, are believed to hold over 50% of global GDP. If Australia is to secure its position among the leading economies of the world the transition to renewable resources, as well as the requisite investment in infrastructure and grid modernisation – underpinned by policy support – must become chief priorities,” says Martin Broglia, managing director of Bonfiglioli Australia and New Zealand.
Along with the Australian government’s updated Net Zero emissions target, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy announced that 20 renewable energy projects have been selected under the Capacity Investment Scheme, and these are expected to deliver 6.6 GW of renewable energy, putting Australia on track to achieve its targets. Barriers to investment in renewable energy are also being scaled down, with the government announcing an imminent reduction in the costs and administrative requirements associated with the development of renewable energy projects, including wind energy projects.
The local focus on the development of the wind energy sector reflects a broader global push, with the global wind energy market set to grow by 8.8% annually. Wind generation experienced significant growth in 2025. According to the Clean Energy Council’s Q4 2025 report, nine major wind and solar projects were commissioned in Australia during the final quarter of 2025, adding 2.1 GW of new capacity (which is equivalent to powering 1.4 million homes). The Australian Energy Market Operator reported a 29% increase in wind output during Q4 2025, compared with the same period in 2024.
“Investment in infrastructure, grid modernisation and energy solutions will become key in the next few years. Demand for innovative, reliable and robust wind energy equipment will intensify, and turbine OEMs will look to partner with suppliers who can meet the requirement for resilience, energy efficiency, quality and cost-efficiency,” says Broglia.
Bonfiglioli holds a share of over 35% of the global wind turbine gearbox market, with a range of complete solutions that have been developed over almost 45 years of collaboration with leading OEMs. The company’s commitment to ongoing R&D, the optimisation of its drives and the high level of quality and customisation of its solutions are highlighted as key differentiators. In 2024, the company initiated a renewal of the range of planetary drives specially developed for wind turbines, including compact solutions that offer greater thermal efficiency and require less lubricant, minimising environmental impact and enhancing product longevity.
In response to market demand for higher-efficiency motors, Bonfiglioli has developed and tested various sizes of its new efficiency-class asynchronous motors.
For wind projects, Bonfiglioli’s solutions include the 700TW Series yaw drive planetary gearbox, designed to reduce the lifetime cost of a wind turbine plant. This heavy-duty gearbox integrates a motor-inverter within a lightweight package, delivering high transmissible torque radial/thrust load capacity and shock resistance, while enabling real-time monitoring through integrated sensors.
Bonfiglioli also offers compact permanent magnet synchronous AC motors suited to pitch and yaw systems, supporting precise speed and position control with high torque density.
“Customers in the wind energy sector are looking for partners who can offer local stockholding and assembly capabilities backed by proven engineering and maintenance expertise. Having expanded our local network of production and distribution facilities, Bonfiglioli is well-positioned to meet these needs,” says Broglia.