Sir Vince Cable criticises UK ban on Ming Yang wind turbine investment

Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has described the UK government’s decision to block Ming Yang’s proposed investment in Scotland as a folly. The former business secretary told Scotland China Brief that the move significantly undermined the successful visit to China made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier in the year. Cable argued that the ban contradicted the diplomatic efforts undertaken to strengthen trade relations between the two nations.

The controversy centres on a £1.5 billion proposal to build a wind turbine factory at Ardersier in the Highlands. The project was expected to create an estimated 1,500 jobs. In January, the government paused its decision to back the investment ahead of Starmer’s trade visit to China. Subsequently, the UK decided not to allow turbines manufactured at the facility to be used in UK waters, citing national security concerns. This decision caused consternation in March 2026, with critics arguing it damaged the country’s industrial prospects.

SNP leader and Scottish First Minister John Swinney has claimed the decision is sabotaging Scotland’s industrial future. Both Ming Yang and the Scottish Government have called on the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to reverse the decision and allow the project to proceed. Sir Vince Cable also questioned the unclear role played by Ed Miliband in the decision during his tenure as Energy Secretary. Miliband, now Foreign Secretary, faces the task of repairing UK-China relations following the ban, as well as the contentious nationalisation of British Steel, which was previously owned by China’s Jingye Group.

In an article published on his Substack, Cable expressed sympathy for the SNP’s claims of sabotage. He noted that China now dominates production and technology in the sector due to foresight not matched in the West. Cable suggested that the proposed Ardersier facility could potentially be the largest turbine factory in the world and that legitimate security concerns could be mitigated. SNP MP Graham Leadbitter supported Cable’s view, suggesting the ban was caused by Westminster-based parties being reluctant to align with the SNP administration. Leadbitter pointed out that the UK government has approved Chinese investment in numerous sensitive sites in England, including London’s new Chinese super-Embassy, Heathrow Airport, and English power networks. He argued that the primary reason the investment was stopped was its location in the Highlands rather than Hertfordshire, highlighting a trend of Westminster supporting industry south of the border while standing back in Scotland.