Wind

Green Volt 'in UK government talks' over Chinese wind turbines

Claims that Flotation Energy and Vargronn joint venture had chosen Mingyang turbines prompted debate in UK parliament

There is heated debate in the European wind industry about whether Chinese wind turbines, such as this twin-headed Mingyang OceanX model, pose a security threat.
There is heated debate in the European wind industry about whether Chinese wind turbines, such as this twin-headed Mingyang OceanX model, pose a security threat.Photo: Mingyang
Journalist

Trailblazing floating offshore wind project Green Volt is reportedly in talks with the UK government over its potential use of turbines supplied by Mingyang, amid heated debate over whether Chinese machines pose a security threat.

Green Volt is a 560MW project being developed in Scotland by Flotation Energy and Vargronn, a joint venture between Eni's Plenitude unit and HitecVision. It claims it would be the largest commercial-scale, floating wind farm in the world.

Green Volt was granted offshore planning approval and a government-backed Contract for Difference last year but has more recently generated controversy as it reportedly edges closer to using China’s Mingyang as its turbine supplier.
The Guardian reported today that Green Volt is in talks with the government over the use of Mingyang turbines. The Chinese OEM is reported to have emerged as the preferred supplier but Green Volt is consulting with ministers on how to proceed.

While the use of Chinese turbines in British waters is not subject to any approval process from the government, Green Volt may be reticent to proceed without government backing given the sensitivities around the issue.

In February, a report that Green Volt had chosen Mingyang as its supplier prompted debate in UK parliament, with concerns raised that turbines from the Chinese supplier could be used to spy on submarines and infrastructure, or could be switched off by Beijing. The concerns mirror those raised elsewhere in Europe, including in Germany, where Mingyang was chosen as preferred supplier for an offshore wind project last year, prompting government scrutiny.
UK spy agency MI5 is reportedly probing the safety of Chinese clean tech in the country more generally.
China and its wind turbine makers have consistently refuted claims its machines present a security threat as groundless and an excuse to avoid Chinese competition.

It is thought that if Mingyang wins the Green Volt contract it may lay the necessary groundwork for it opening a mooted Scottish factory, which has itself prompted fierce debate within the sector and government.

The Labour administration has been seeking to foster closer ties with Beijing, with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Chancellor of the Exchequer among those to visit the country in recent months.

Approached for comment, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said it had nothing to add to a quote in the Guardian article, in which a spokesperson said: “We would never let anything get in the way of our national security, and while we would not comment on individual cases, investment in the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny.

“We are undergoing rigorous processes to look at the role of China in our supply chain and investment in critical infrastructure – taking into account the national security considerations, as well as our need for investment in the supply chain.”

A Green Volt spokesperson told Recharge that the project is still identifying supply chain partners to help us build the wind farm and, “as yet, no turbine supplier has been confirmed”.

“We will comply with any government regulation and guidance around security of critical national infrastructure in the selection of all our suppliers.”

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Published 12 May 2025, 09:29Updated 12 May 2025, 10:08
MingYang Smart EnergyGreen VoltFlotation EnergyVargronnUK