British government rejected Ming Yang’s participation in offshore wind projects on national security grounds
China has repudiated the British government’s decision to block the use of wind turbines produced by the Chinese manufacturer in offshore wind energy projects in the United Kingdom, citing national security concerns.
A spokesperson for the UK said on Tuesday (14 April 2026) that the UK’s exclusion of Chinese products contradicts its long-standing principles of an open and free market and could harm bilateral trade relations. This response follows an announcement by UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks at the end of March, in which he confirmed that the government would not support the use of Ming Yang turbines in offshore wind energy projects.
The dispute highlights the growing geopolitical challenges facing Chinese renewable energy companies in Europe, even as countries such as the United Kingdom are dealing with supply chain issues that threaten their ambitious clean energy goals.
In his statement, Shanks said several developers have contacted the government about the potential use of Ming Yang’s turbines, which are traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. After a thorough assessment, the government informed the developers of its position.
Shanks said the UK remains committed to safeguarding national security and prioritizing a resilient and sustainable supply chain for offshore wind, as well as welcoming Chinese investment as long as it is aligned with national interests.
Ming Yang had hoped to use the UK as a gateway to the European market, where offshore wind projects have been hampered by supply chain bottlenecks.
In October 2025, the company announced a plan to invest £1.5 billion ($2 billion) in building the UK’s first fully integrated wind turbine factory in Scotland. The site would aim to produce offshore and floating wind turbines.
Following Shanks’ statements, Ming Yang released a statement on March 27 noting that it had not yet received a formal response from the British government regarding its investment plan.
The company said it would continue to engage with British authorities. It also acknowledged that the project is subject to final approval from regulatory bodies, including the UK government and China’s Ministry of Commerce. Ming Yang warned that the project could undergo modifications or even be canceled due to complex geopolitical and macroeconomic factors.
Wind energy is the largest source of electricity in the UK. Under the 2030 clean energy plan, the government aims for renewables to make up more than 95% of the country’s electricity production by the end of the decade, which requires offshore wind power capacity to grow from 15 gigawatts to 43 to 50 gigawatts.
However, delays in offshore wind projects over the past 2 years have been attributed to equipment shortages and insufficient investment in infrastructure.
The rejection of Ming Yang’s project coincides with rising trade tensions as Chinese wind turbine manufacturers expand their global presence. In February 2026, the European Commission began an in-depth investigation into Chinese manufacturer Goldwind, based on the FSR (Foreign Subsidies Regulation).
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce within the EU (European Union) criticized the UK’s decision, describing it as politically motivated, lacking transparency and potentially damaging to Chinese investors’ confidence in the European market in the long term.
This report was originally in English by Caixin Global on April 14, 2026. It was translated and republished by Poder360 under mutual content sharing agreement
