China’s Leading Wind Turbine Manufacturer, Mingyang Smart Energy, to Build Offshore Wind Turbine Plant in Scotland

China’s largest wind turbine company, Mingyang Smart Energy, is planning to establish its inaugural European manufacturing facility in Scotland. Despite concerns surrounding China’s increasing involvement in the UK’s energy infrastructure, the company remains committed to supplying equipment for wind farms in the North Sea and initiating an offshore wind supply chain in Scotland.

This month, Mingyang Smart Energy received a notable endorsement from the Scottish Government, elevating its project to “priority” status. This designation underscores the government’s recognition of the project’s importance in facilitating a supply chain to support offshore wind farms along the Scottish coastline.

The project, integrated into the Strategic Investment Model (SIM), is deemed essential for multinational developers aiming to construct a series of offshore wind farms crucial for Scotland’s energy sustainability.

Stewart McDonald, a Member of Parliament representing the Scottish National Party (SNP), has voiced apprehensions regarding agreements with Chinese companies, citing potential risks to Scottish energy security. McDonald emphasized the necessity of factoring in international relations when engaging in such agreements.

Established in 2006, Mingyang Smart Energy is a prominent global wind turbine manufacturer headquartered in China’s Guangdong province. The company offers a diverse range of turbines, including those designed to withstand typhoons. Its proposal to establish an assembly and parts manufacturing plant in Scotland has the potential to generate up to 1300 jobs.

Choosing the UK as the location for the plant could also alleviate antitrust scrutiny from Brussels, given the UK’s departure from the EU.

The Scottish Government regards offshore energy as pivotal for Scotland’s long-term energy strategy. The ScotWind auction, held two years ago, enabled energy giants to secure development rights for wind farms capable of generating up to 28 gigawatts of power upon completion by 2030. This projected capacity significantly contributes to the UK Government’s target of achieving 50GW of offshore wind power by the same period.