LABOUR are reportedly set to allow a Chinese firm into a major North Sea windfarm – despite national security concerns.
Treasury officials are said to have overruled objections, including from the Ministry of Defence, from other parts of the government to the project.
The Green Volt wind farm, to be set up around 50 miles off the Aberdeenshire coast, is set to be “Europe’s first commercial-scale floating windfarm”.
It is a joint venture between the Italian-Norwegian firm Vargronn and Japan’s Flotation Energy.
Chinese firm Mingyang has been selected to provide the turbines for the project, The Sun reports, despite concerns about allowing companies linked with Beijing access to critical national infrastructure.
One insider told the paper: "It is madness to let a hostile state install UK critical national infrastructure.
“But as far as the Treasury is concerned, it seems money is more important than security.”
The Ministry of Defence reportedly raised concerns that the wind farm could be used to house spying equipment like trackers.
An anonymous source said: “If a Chinese company supplies the turbines they have a legitimate excuse to visit any one at any time for maintenance.
“That means they can install almost anything they like at any time.
“The worst case scenario is we have to assume every turbine could then be an antenna intercepting signals intelligence, or a sensor tracking ships or planes.”
Another added: “We are absolutely right to be hawkish about China and have a duty to scrutinise risks and raise flags where we have concerns.
“Ultimately though, this is a wider government decision.”
Ed Miliband’s (above) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is also said to have objected – however an assessment found that the wind farm would never be big enough to jeopardise UK power supplies.
Mingyang is said to be in talks about opening a turbine factory in Scotland if the Green Volt deal is approved, and the SNP gave the factory “priority” status through the Scottish Government's strategic investment plan.
A Government source told The Sun that the deal was “a question of jobs and growth” and the Treasury feared that if they did not play ball the investment would go to Italy.
A Green Volt spokesperson said: “We are developing the largest commercial-scale, floating offshore wind farm in the world, working to hugely ambitious timelines to deliver the government’s goal of 5GW of floating offshore wind by 2030.
“We are identifying supply chain partners to help us build the wind farm.
“Regardless of which suppliers are chosen, we will comply with any Government regulation and guidance around security of critical national infrastructure.”
