Chinese wind turbine manufacturer MingYang has warned it could take its proposed £1.5billion investment elsewhere in Europe if the UK Government continues to delay a decision on its planned factory in the Scottish Highlands.
The company wants to build Scotland’s largest wind turbine manufacturing facility at Ardersier Port, supporting up to 1,500 jobs, but approval has been delayed amid concerns over national security and Chinese involvement in critical energy infrastructure.
Speaking during a visit to China, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “No decision has been made in relation to MingYang. There’s no decision on that yet, one way or another, but obviously uppermost in our minds is the national security of the United Kingdom.”
MingYang’s head of UK and European operations, Aman Wang, said the company remains committed to the UK but has drawn up alternative options if delays continue.
Mr Wang confirmed there was a “shortlist of ports” and that “the five are on the continent”.
The Scottish Government has urged the UK Government to reach a decision, warning that continued uncertainty risks undermining investment, supply chain development and job creation in the North and North-east.