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Thanks to rtpscott for alerting us to this:

In the P&J yesterday, the above and:

The owner of Ardersier Port has struck a new deal with a Chinese company as the fallout from the UK Government blocking a £1.5 billion wind farm factory continues.

Port owner and developer Haventus has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese offshore wind manufacturer Dajin.

The partnership will see them explore opportunities across both the UK and European markets.

It will look at combining Dajin’s manufacturing and specialist transportation capabilities with Ardersier Port’s infrastructure to support offshore wind projects.

The announcement comes just months after the UK Government decision to turn down the £1.5 billion Ardersier wind farm factory plan by Ming Yang.

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/business/local/7090311/ardersier-port-offshore-wind-dajin-chinese/

This is separate from the earlier Ming Yang proposal for a large turbine manufacturing plant in Ardersier. The UK Labour government blocked that in March 2026, citing that the turbines would not be suitable for UK offshore wind projects and raising national security concerns. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y7n198lpyo

Dajin has previously supplied foundations for UK projects (including Hornsea 3, Moray West, and Inch Cape), so this type of commercial exploration appears more routine and does not appear to have required (or received) a comparable high-level government go-ahead at the Memorandum of Understanding stage. https://www.offshorewind.biz/2026/08/21/chinese-offshore-wind-foundation-manufacturer-inks-mou-with-scotlands-ardersier-port/

In short, an MoU is a preliminary step between companies. Any concrete development at Ardersier involving Dajin would still need to go through normal commercial, planning, and (if relevant) security/regulatory processes.

Does it seem likely the UK Government will allow this one?

It seems more likely than not that the UK Government would allow commercial activities arising from this MoU, though nothing is guaranteed and deeper integration could still face scrutiny.

The March 2026 UK Government decision specifically targeted Ming Yang turbines for use in UK offshore wind projects. Officials cited national security risks (including potential for cyber issues, spying, or control over critical energy systems via embedded software/control systems) and said the turbines were not suitable. They emphasised protecting national security while still welcoming Chinese investment “where it’s in our national interest.” https://commonsbusiness.parliament.uk/Document/104034/Pdf?subType=Standard

Dajin Heavy Industry is different:

• It specialises in foundations (monopiles, transition pieces, jackets, etc.) — largely passive structural steel components — plus specialist transport vessels.
• It has already supplied foundations for several UK projects, including Hornsea 3, Moray West, and Inch Cape, with deliveries continuing into 2026 and no comparable government intervention reported. https://www.offshorewind.biz/2026/08/21/chinese-offshore-wind-foundation-manufacturer-inks-mou-with-scotlands-ardersier-port/
• The MoU with Haventus is exploratory. It focuses on combining Dajin’s manufacturing/transport capabilities with Ardersier Port for storage, marshalling, assembly, and transportation of components for fixed and floating wind projects in the UK and Europe. It does not involve building a high-tech turbine factory or embedding control systems in the energy grid. https://www.offshorewind.biz/2026/08/21/chinese-offshore-wind-foundation-manufacturer-inks-mou-with-scotlands-ardersier-port/

Ming Yang’s proposed project was projected to create far more jobs ( 1 500 direct 8 000 in supply chain) than anything currently indicated for the Dajin MoU.

_____________________________________________________________________

Help Talking-up Scotland keep going.

Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going

Or by direct bank transfer to:

JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON

Sort Code – 08-91-04

Account – 12266421

_____________________________________________________________________