First Minister John Swinney has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reconsider the UK Government’s decision to block a £1.5billion wind turbine factory in the Highlands.
Chinese manufacturer Ming Yang had proposed building what would be the UK’s largest wind turbine manufacturing facility at Ardersier, near Inverness, creating up to 1,500 direct jobs and potentially 8,000 more across the supply chain.
The previous UK Government blocked the plans over national security and cyber security concerns, but, according to The Scotsman, Mr Swinney raised the issue during his first meeting with Mr Burnham and has now written formally to the new Prime Minister seeking a review.
Ming Yang has also approached the new UK Government directly in an attempt to revive the project, although a government source said there were currently no plans to reverse the decision.
GMB Scotland has also called for the decision to be reviewed if the security concerns can be addressed.
A UK Government spokesperson said: 'After careful consideration the government concluded that there are national security risks associated with the use of Ming Yang wind turbines in UK offshore wind projects.'
Original announcement link
Source: Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
