The Trump administration raised concerns with the UK government about plans by one of China’s largest wind turbine manufacturers to supply wind farms in the North Sea from new Scottish factories.
US officials have told London that Washington warned London about claiming it had something to do with allowing Mingyan to build a factory in the UK.
The US intervention comes when British ministers consider whether they should block factories in question raised by politicians about cybersecurity and the dangers of relying on Chinese technology.
Guangzhou-based Mingyan is not nationally owned, but critics argue that there is a risk of interference from Beijing in decision-making.
According to British authorities, the UK government has become more cautious about Mingyan’s potential involvement in the UK’s offshore style, following a line with Jinji Group, a Chinese company that owns important steelwork in the northeastern UK.
Those familiar with the London process surrounding Mingyan’s impact on the UK wind power chain added that it was a “continued discussion” and that there were mixed views on whether to block the company. Ministers can block investment in the UK under the National Security Investment Act.
The US warning is the latest example of Washington expressing China’s activities in the UK as the British Ir Starmer labor government attempted to stimulate relations between London and Beijing.
The White House has also warned Downing Street about allowing Beijing to build a new embassy in London.
Protesters outside the proposed site for redevelopment of the new Chinese Embassy at Royal Mint Court in central London © Jordan Pettitt/PA
In the US, security officials have warned in recent years about the risk that Chinese wind turbines will house electronic surveillance technology. This is especially worrying when it’s close to a military base.
US officials said Washington also raised concerns in Berlin about allowing Chinese wind turbine companies to operate in Germany. Mingyang has won a contract to become the preferred supplier of Germany’s offshore wind power projects in the North Sea. However, some German government has raised concerns about national security and unfair China competition.
The US intervention in the UK underscores the UK’s difficult balancing acts to manage its relationship with Donald Trump, while also pursuing clean energy goals.
Mingyang has historically not made wind turbines for the UK market, but in discussions with developers Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn, he offers an offshore wind turbine floating in a North Sea project called Green Volt, and another project developed by Cerulean Winds. There is also a priority supplier agreement with Swedish developer Hexicon for a wind power project off the floating coast of the Celtic Sea.
Cerulean Winds North Sea turbine © Cerulean Winds
Supporters of Mingyang’s plan say the turbines of Chinese companies will allow the British government’s ambitions to build floating-wind farms. They argue that Scottish factories also help create jobs.
However, opponents believe the UK risks relying on Chinese technology instead of promoting European turbine manufacturers, raising a fear of security for Chinese suppliers operating in British waters.
“If Chinese-made turbines are installed, security experts warn that sensors can spy on the layout of UK seas, defense submarine programs and energy infrastructure,” Scotland’s Secretary of State told the House in February.
Advocates argue that risks can be regulated and managed, and question whether it is appropriate for the US government to intervene. “The US is not investing in the supply chain. Why are they interfering with other people’s options?” one wind industry source said. “It’s important for the government and industry to push back and say, this isn’t your business.”
UK security services have nourished a review of China’s role in the UK energy system reported in February by the Financial Times.
Scotland’s Deputy Minister Kate Forbes previously indicated that the Scottish government is open to its Mingyan factories, and last November said there was a “room” at the FT.
Scotland’s Deputy Minister Kate Forbes said there is a “room” in Mingyan in the industry of wind ©Iain Masterton/Alamy
The Scottish government is waiting for clarification on its security impact. This is an issue reserved for Westminster under the UK’s delegated regional government system.
Blocking Mingyan risks hostility towards Beijing when the UK seeks Chinese investment and net-zero cooperation.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband traveled to Beijing in March for the UK’s first formal climate consultation since 2017.
Since then, a column with Jingye over Scunthorpe’s British Steel Works has been concerned about foreign management of key assets. The minister used emergency powers to take control of the site to prevent Jingi from closing the blast furnace.
A UK government spokesman declined to comment on the Minyan incident, but said the UK would “never obstruct our national security,” adding that “investment in the energy sector will be subject to the highest level of national security scrutiny.”
A spokesperson for the Greenbolt Project said: “We welcome all inward investments in offshore winds to grow the sector, create jobs and build a prosperous supply chain in the UK,” Mingyan declined to comment.
Additional Reports by George Parker and Simeon Kerr
