LABOUR have been accused of a "two-pronged attack" on Scotland's energy after denying a £1.5 billion investment to build the UK’s largest wind turbine factory in the Highlands.
Chinese firm Ming Yang – one of the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturers – had been looking to build the UK’s largest wind turbine manufacturing facility at Ardersier near Inverness, which the company said would have created up to 1500 jobs.
But in March this year, the UK Government blocked the factory after concerns were raised about whether the firm had links to the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and around Chinese laws meaning companies in the country are obliged to work with security services.
Previously, the Scottish Government had lobbied Ming Yang to build the factory, but First Minister John Swinney said it was “dependent” on national security decisions from the UK Government.
Swinney reportedly used his first meeting with the new Prime Minister to call for a rethink on blocking the proposals, warning that Scotland will miss out on jobs and economic growth as a result of turning down the plans.
The SNP have now written to Burnham to accuse him of a "two-pronged attack" on the nation's energy, as they claim the UK Government's windfall tax on oil and gas profits is destroying 1000 jobs a month and investment in the industry.
The letter from MSP Emma Roddick and MP Graham Leadbitter says: "The decision by the UK Labour Government to deny such significant investment in renewables supply chain jobs in the Highlands has been a disaster for Scotland’s energy sector.
"Scottish workers watched on as the Labour Party gave carte blanche to a multitude of Chinese backed projects in England - extortionate nuclear power plants, a Chinese super-Embassy, Heathrow Airport as well as power networks and battery sites. Yet when it came to 1500 jobs in the Highlands it was a very different story.
"By starving Scotland of the UK’s largest wind turbine manufacturer, you are waging a two-pronged attack on Scotland’s energy sector with your tax on Scotland’s energy destroying 1000 jobs a month and investment in our oil and gas industry too.
"Meanwhile, Labour MPs and MSPs from Scotland sat silent as a Labour Government blocked this investment, shutdown Grangemouth, allowed Mossmorran to close, put 1000 energy jobs per month at risk and wrecked investment in renewables through crippling transmission charges.
"The fact is when it comes to Scottish and English industry, the UK Labour Government applies very different treatment and it is destroying confidence in Scotland’s industrial future."
The letter urges Burnham to rethink his decision over Ming Yang and "unleash Scotland's renewable potential".
It is also understood that Ming Yang has approached the UK Government directly, under new management, urging the new leadership to reconsider the decision.
