Chinese firm assessing other European sites for £1.5bn turbine plant

A Chinese renewable energy giant says it is looking at other possible European sites for a £1.5bn wind turbine manufacturing plant it planned to build in Scotland.

Ming Yang proposed the facility for Ardersier Port, near Nairn, but in March the UK government refused to allow the plans to go ahead.

The government said the turbines from the factory would not be suitable for UK offshore wind projects and it could not support their use. It also cited national security.

Ming Yang, which described the decision as a "significant missed opportunity", said it continued to discuss its proposals with stakeholders in the UK, while also assessing other locations.

Following the UK government's decision in March, Ming Yang said it would continue to engage constructively with the UK government, including "on the important topic of national security".

It said it remained committed to supporting the UK's mission to become a "clean energy superpower".

But Ming Yang has now confirmed it is looking at other options.

A spokesperson told BBC Scotland News: "We remain in constructive dialogue with all stakeholders in the UK, and we are also evaluating possible sites in a number of countries in continental Europe."

Ming Yang announced its plans last year for the plant and the creation of 1,500 jobs.

In March, the UK government said the renewable industry had sought its view on the use of the proposed turbines in British waters and energy system.

A spokesperson said: "After careful consideration, government's view is that we cannot support the use of them in UK offshore wind projects.

"We will always act to protect our national security, and we are committed to strengthening and prioritising resilient and sustainable offshore wind supply chains."

They added: "We welcome investment from China where it's in our national interest - as demonstrated by significant inward investment during the prime minister's recent visit to Beijing. 

"We will continue to take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to our relationship with China - cooperating where we can, whilst never compromising on security and resilience."

Scotland's deputy first minister at the time, Kate Forbes, said national security was important and must be respected.

But she added that it was "regrettable" the UK government had not explained precisely what the problem was with Ming Yang.

Forbes said: "This decision has been sitting on the desks of UK government ministers for over 18 months - their dithering will have far-reaching consequences that, once again, will be left for Scotland to deal with.

"That is simply sabotage of Scotland's industrial future."

Ming Yang said it was disappointed by the UK government's decision.

It said its Ardersier plans were an opportunity to increase competition in the wind turbine market and the creation of new jobs.

A spokesperson also claimed the move risked energy prices staying higher for longer for British households and industry at a time of global energy shocks.

Ardersier is a former oil and gas fabrication yard near Inverness.

In the 1970s the McDermott Yard opened at the location on the Moray Firth for the fabrication and construction of offshore platforms for the then newly-established North Sea gas and oil industry.

At its height the yard employed about 4,500 people but it closed in 2001 as demand dropped.

The 450-acre (182ha) site is being redeveloped and forms part of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport.