The proposed development — billed as the world’s largest wind turbine factory — was expected to create up to 1,500 jobs and form a key part of Scotland’s transition from oil and gas to renewables.
However, a UK Government spokesperson said they could not support the use of the firm’s turbines in British waters and energy system.
“We will always act to protect our national security, and we are committed to strengthening and prioritising resilient and sustainable offshore wind supply chains,” they added.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes hit out at the decision: “National security is obviously important and must be respected, but it is regrettable the UK Government has failed to explain precisely what the problem is with Ming Yang.
“What is clear is that Labour are already hammering Scotland’s oil and gas sector, killing investment and costing jobs.
“And now, at exactly the time when we need to accelerate the transition to clean, green energy, delivering the jobs people need, Labour have pulled the rug out from under Scotland’s renewables industry.
“This decision has been sitting on the desks of UK Government ministers for over 18 months. Their dithering will have far-reaching consequences that, once again, will be left for Scotland to deal with. That is simply sabotage of Scotland’s industrial future.”
The comments triggered a swift backlash from UK ministers and opposition figures.
Energy minister Michael Shanks said it was the duty of responsible governments to make “decisions which always put national security and resilience first”.
“That is what the UK Government has done. Playing politics with national security is deeply irresponsible.
“The SNP have had 20 years to deliver an industrial strategy in Scotland and have failed time and time again.
“Within 20 months we have unlocked more than £40bn of investment in Scotland, more than 27,000 jobs in networks and clean energy and the biggest renewables auction ever.
“Just today Vestas has announced the first nacelle production facility in the UK will be built in Scotland because of the success of the Clean Power Mission.
“The SNP are tired and out of ideas.
“They have had two decades and all that is left is grievance.”
Responsible governments take decisions which always put national security and resilience first.
That is what the UK Government has done.
Playing politics with national security is deeply irresponsible. https://t.co/XwlZsdEHZw
— Michael Shanks MP (@mgshanks) March 25, 2026
Andrew Bowie, the Tory shadow Scottish secretary, added: “The SNP demonstrating what we all knew, that they do not care or understand about national security.
“They would allow a genuine security threat into our waters just so they could claim a win in an election year.
“And they want to run an independent country. Embarrassing. Grow up.”
The decision drew criticism from Ming Yang itself, which warned it could have wider consequences for energy costs and market competition.
A spokesperson for the company said: “We are disappointed by the UK Government’s decision not to allow Ming Yang’s world-leading technology to be used.
“The decision misses a significant opportunity to increase competition in the capacity-constrained wind turbine market, delays Ming Yang’s plans to invest £1.5 billion in Scotland in offshore wind turbine production — creating up to 1,500 jobs — and risks energy prices staying higher for longer for British households and industry at a time of global energy shocks.
“We will continue to engage constructively with the UK Government, including on the important topic of national security, and remain committed to supporting the UK’s mission to become a clean energy superpower. We continue to believe in the long-term potential of the UK market, and our planned activities remain unchanged.”
The row comes just hours after both the Scottish and UK governments expressed support for a separate €250 million wind turbine component manufacturing plant proposed by Vestas.