Ardersier is Chinese energy giant’s preferred site to invest £1.5 billion in the UK’s largest wind turbine plant as Ming Yang estimates it will create 1500 jobs amid concerns about energy security
The Port of Ardersier in the Highland Green Freeport is the preferred site of a Chinese energy giant to invest £1.5 billion in the UK’s largest wind turbine plant estimated to create 1500 jobs.
Ming Yang, the largest private wind turbine manufacturer in China, says that if it gets the go-ahead then the first production would begin by late 2028 at the green freeport site at Ardersier as its preferred location for the facility.
The company has been in talks with the Scottish and UK governments for the past two years and would invest up to £750 million in the first phase and then expand to create an "offshore wind industry ecosystem" at the port.
Min Yang’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 there has been cross-party unease about the deal as Conservative MP Nick Timothy and former SNP MP Stewart McDonald both expressed misgivings around energy security.
Last November, MP Nick Timothy asked UK energy minister Michael Shanks about Ming Yang's plans, calling on the government to rule out investment from "hostile states".
Mr Timothy said Ming Yang "benefits from huge subsidies in China" and that any investment was subject to "serious questions about energy and national security".
But the UK government's Energy Secretary, Michael Shanks, said he would "encourage investment".
While Mr McDonald called for offshore giant Ming Yang to be banned from operating in the North Sea, citing how Norway rejected the company “for a similar project.”
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."
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “This port is strategically important to the growth and success of the offshore wind sector. "This illustrates the strength of opportunity and huge economic potential that the Scottish offshore wind sector offers.
"We recognise that Ming Yang's investment is subject to a decision from the UK government and look forward to the outcome of that process."