A delegation from XEMC Group, one of the largest generator manufacturing organisations in China, has been visiting Northern Ireland to explore potential investment opportunities within the renewable energy sector.

This is Xiangtan Electrical Manufacturing Corporation Ltd's first ever visit to the UK.

The firm manufactures a wide range of products including electrical machines, ship propulsion systems, light rail vehicles for urban transportation, and wind turbines.

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The XEMC wind group is one of the company's fastest growing divisions and XEMC is the leading supplier of multi megawatt direct drive turbine technology in the Chinese market.

The company is keen to investigate the opportunities for locating its European wind turbine assembly plant and blade factory in Northern Ireland.

An investment of over £95 million and potential creation of over 600 highly skilled jobs is envisaged if Northern Ireland is chosen as the location for the two plants.

XEMC's visit was being facilitated by Belfast-based company Titan Energy Associates (TEA, XEMC's European and North American marketing and distribution partners.

A series of Government, departmental and political briefings at Stormont took place as well as key stakeholder engagement meetings with Invest NI, Harland & Wolff, Queen's University and Belfast Harbour Commissioners.

(BMcC/KMcA)