Fresh concerns have been raised for national security over a Chinese company's plan for a £1.5bn wind turbine factory in the Scottish Highlands.
Ming Yang Power, China's fifth-largest wind turbine producer, announced plans last week for a facility at Ardersier near Inverness, which needs UK Government approval to go ahead.
Ian Williams, a veteran journalist with 20 years of experience covering China as a foreign correspondent for Channel 4 News and NBC, said the facility would give China "enormous power" over the UK energy grid and pose "an enormous threat".
He added that it would be a mistake to view giant turbines as "pieces of inanimate metal", adding that the Chinese-made structures were "incredibly smart" and would become "parts of what will be a very advanced and a very smart grid".
Speaking on BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show, Mr Williams added: "They're connected devices, so those who control these devices have an enormous amount of power over individual components and over the grid itself. So the danger is multiple.
"It's not only that they could be used as a means of surveillance or espionage where they are placed, but also the danger of sabotage.
"Do we really want to become dependent on China for renewable energy technology? Because if there is a break in relations, and let's face it, that is very, very possible, these dependencies could become extremely dangerous."
The warning comes following revelations that John Swinney, the SNP leader, and his ministers have repeatedly met with Ming Yang officials to woo the firm to invest in Scotland, with the promise of creating 3,000 jobs.
According to the Scotland on Sunday newspaper, Mr Swinney has met with Ming Yang twice, the first being a meeting with Zhang Chuanwei, its chairman, at an investment summit in London.
It was followed up by "a letter emphasising the strategic value that Ming Yang's investment could bring to Scotland".
In April of this year, Richard Lochhead, the business minister, embarked on a trade visit to China where he met with Rui Zhang, the company's senior vice-president, while an unnamed Scottish official "visited Ming Yang factory and headquarters in Yangijang City, China, in May 2025".
Mr Williams accepted that Ming Yang was a private company but said: "In China, that means very little, because all companies, by virtue of Chinese law, are obliged to work with the security services when it comes down to issues of national security or espionage.
"The founder, Zhang Chuanwei, is a former soldier. He's a member of the Chinese Communist Party. He's been quite enthusiastic in his support for the Chinese government. Now the issue is here, but yes, it's a huge economic benefit, potentially for that part of Scotland, but you're going to hand over control of your smart grid to the Chinese Communist Party."
Michael Shanks, the UK Energy Minister, also appeared on the BBC programme and rejected any notion that a deal has been signed with Ming Yang. He said that any access to the National Grid would have to be assessed for national security concerns.
Mr Shanks was also challenged on the number of jobs created by GB Energy, Labour's publicly-owned company based in Aberdeen. The party has promised to deliver 1,000 new jobs amid claims that to date, just 13 have been created in the north-east city.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We recognise the Ming Yang investment is subject to a decision from UK government and we await the outcome of that process.
"We welcome the company has chosen Ardersier as its preferred location. The port is strategically important to the growth and success of the offshore wind sector.
"This illustrates the strength of opportunity and huge economic potential that the Scottish offshore wind sector offers."