Ming Yang Smart Energy To Inver £1.5billion To Build Wind Turbines in Scotland

14th October 2025

Ming Yang Smart Energy (a Chinese renewable energy company) is planning a major wind turbine manufacturing facility in Scotland.

The investment would be around £1.5 billion.

Number of jobs could be around 1,500 jobs initially Possibility of more in later stages.

Ardersier Port, near Inverness in the Highlands is the preferred site.

It's a three‑phase plan:
• Phase 1: Manufacture of turbine blades and nacelles (the housing for the generating parts) — expected to be operational by late 2028.
scottishfinancialreview.com

• Phase 2: Expand for floating offshore wind technology production lines.

• Phase 3: Further expansion to manufacture electronic components, control systems, other key parts of turbine systems.

Markets served UK, Europe, and other non‑Asian markets. It's intended to be a hub in the offshore wind turbine supply chain.

Technology
Includes both fixed‑bottom offshore turbines and floating offshore wind technology. Ming Yang has floating turbine platforms (e.g. "Ocean X") which reduce cost, especially in waters too deep for traditional fixed foundations.

What needs to happen

The project is subject to final UK government approvals (for regulatory, national security etc.).

Some debate / concern around the involvement of a Chinese company in critical infrastructure has been raised, so security reviews are part of the process.

Ming Yang has been in detailed talks with Scottish and UK governments, plus public bodies like Great British Energy, Scottish National Investment Bank, UK Export Finance, The Crown Estate etc.

Potential implications & concerns

If built, this facility could significantly boost Scotland's offshore wind supply chain (many turbine parts are currently imported). That could mean more local jobs and more resilience in the supply chain.

Floating offshore wind is a growing area especially relevant to Scotland given many deep water sites; this could help scale that up.

However, cost, regulatory, and security issues are nontrivial. Some stakeholders are cautious about dependency, foreign investment etc.

Also, building the facility and having it operational by 2028 will require navigating permitting, construction, workforce training, infrastructure set‑up, etc.