Chinese wind turbine manufacturer Ming Yang Smart Energy has announced plans to create the UK’s largest wind turbine manufacturing facility, to be located in Scotland.

The three-phase project will involve investing up to £1.5bn ($2bn) in a new wind turbine factory for offshore and floating offshore projects for the UK and for export, creating up to 1,500 new jobs, with a potential 1,500 new jobs in later phases.

The Chinese firm has shortlisted several sites in Scotland have been shortlisted, with Ardersier Port near Inverness as the current preferred location.

The three-phase strategy would create an offshore wind hub to serve the UK, European, and other non-Asian markets.

The first phase will be a £750m investment to create an advanced manufacturing facility for both wind turbine nacelles and blades, with first production by late 2028. In the second phase, the facility and infrastructure will be expanded for the deployment of floating offshore technology at scale in the UK.

The final phase will see the development of other facilities such as production lines for control systems, electronics, and other key components.

The investment plans are still subject to final approvals from the UK government and are an integral part of the company’s wider pan-European strategy, in which other locations are being explored.