Chinese wind turbine manufacturer Ming Yang Smart Energy has announced it plans to create the UK’s largest, and first fully integrated, wind turbine manufacturing facility to be located in Scotland.
Ming Yang Smart Energy said the three-phase project will involve investing up to £1.5 billion in a new wind turbine factory for offshore and floating offshore projects for the UK and for export, creating up to 1,500 new jobs, with a potential 1,500 new jobs in later phases.
The firm said a number of sites in Scotland have been shortlisted, with Ardesier Port near Inverness the current preferred location, enabling the redeployment of those previously employed in the oil and gas sector.
“Ming Yang leads the world in the development and operation of offshore wind technology, representing 31.3% newly added capacity globally in 2024, including the 16.6 MW ‘Ocean X’ dual-rotor floating wind turbine platform, which paves the way to reduce offshore wind development cost by up to 30%, and in turn lowering household energy bills,” said the Zhongshan-based firm.
“By bringing this technology to the North Sea, the opportunity is created to accelerate the commercialisation of floating wind technology, to onshore strategic elements of the renewables supply chain, and to make the UK the centre of the European wind sector.”
Ming Yang said it has held extensive discussions with the UK and Scottish Governments over the last two years on its plans as well as holding detailed commercial discussions with Great British Energy, the National Wealth Fund, the Scottish National Investment Bank, the Crown Estate and UK Export Finance.
The investment plans are still subject to final approvals from the UK Government and are an integral part of a wider pan-European strategy, in which other locations are being explored.
This announcement follows a strategic partnership announced last month with Octopus Energy to deliver affordable, clean wind energy and bring down bills for British households and to explore the implementation of Octopus Energy software to create the highest levels of data protection and cyber security in combination with Ming Yang’s cutting-edge offshore and onshore wind turbines.
Zhang Chuanwei, Founder and Chairman, Ming Yang Group, said: “As a global leader in wind technology, Ming Yang is committed to accelerating the global energy transition through innovation and community-focused comprehensive energy solutions. We are excited by the prospect of investing in the UK and look forward to finalising our investment decision.”
Aman Wang, UK CEO, Ming Yang Smart Energy, 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.”