New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
The UK government has blocked plans by Chinese renewable energy firm Ming Yang to build a £1.5bn wind turbine manufacturing facility in Scotland, citing concerns over national security and supply chain resilience.
The proposed development at Ardersier Port near Inverness was expected to create up to 1,500 jobs and would have been the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturing facility.
On the use of Ming Yang smart energy turbines in the UK, Minister of State for Energy Michael Shanks 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,’ he continued.
The decision came after a lengthy deliberation process, with UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant saying in January that the government had to be sure the investment in the port was ‘safe and secure’. Bryant told the BBC’s Radio Scotland Breakfast programme the UK had to be ‘clear eyed’ about its relationship with China and challenge it on issues such as human rights.
Liam Byrne, Chair of the Business and Trade Committee, welcomed the move, saying the UK could not risk ‘new and unwise dependencies’ in its energy supply chain in an increasingly unstable world.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said he was ‘deeply disappointed’ by the decision, adding: ‘At the very moment we should be building clean energy, they are sabotaging Scotland’s industrial future.’
A spokesperson for Ming Yang said the company would continue to engage with the UK government, including on national security concerns, and remained committed to supporting the UK’s ambition to become a clean energy superpower.
Vestas sets out plans to build nacelle factory in Scotland
Meanwhile, Vestas has announced plans to build a nacelle and hub factory in Scotland, representing a capital investment of more than €250mn. The site would produce nacelles and hubs for its flagship offshore wind turbine, the V236-15.0 MW, and create around 500 skilled jobs.
The move follows record-breaking AR7 auction results in January 2026, a growing UK offshore wind order book, and discussions between Vestas, the UK government and the Scottish government on developing and co-investing in the project.
A final investment decision is contingent on Vestas securing sufficient UK-based orders in AR7 and AR8. Subject to those outcomes and the planning process, production could begin in 2029 or 2030, it said.
