Chinese firm planning £1.5bn turbine plant in Scotland

A Chinese energy company has announced plans to build the UK’s largest wind turbine manufacturing facility in Scotland.

Ming Yang said the £1.5bn project would create up to 1,500 jobs, with the first production taking place by late 2028.

The firm, which is the largest private wind turbine manufacturer in China, has shortlisted the green freeport site at Ardersier as its preferred location for the facility.

Ming Yang said it would invest up to £750m in the first phase of its investment before expanding to create an “offshore wind industry ecosystem” around the hub.

It has been in talks with the Scottish and UK governments over the past two years.

The firm’s UK chief executive, Aman Wang said: “We firmly believe that by moving forward with our plans to create jobs, skills and a supply chain in the UK, we can make this country the global hub for offshore wind technology.

“We fully support the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower, and I’m confident that once the plans are approved we can make a valued contribution to this goal.”

But a Conservative MP has previously questioned the wisdom of letting the company invest in the UK.

Last November, MP Nick Timothy asked UK energy minister Michael Shanks about Ming Yang’s plans to invest in Scotland, saying the government should rule out investment from “hostile states”.

Timothy said Ming Yang “benefits from huge subsidies in China,” adding any investment was subject to “serious questions about energy and national security”.

The UK government’s Energy Secretary, Michael Shanks, said he would “encourage investment”.

In a statement released on Friday, a UK government spokesperson said: “This is one of a number of companies that wants to invest in the UK.

“Any decisions made will be consistent with our national security.”