A new manufacturing base in Scotland is set to drive clean future travel and create 350 skilled jobs. US firm ZeroAvia will build a Hydrogen Centre of Excellence in Renfrewshire’s Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS). The facility will make advanced fuel cell systems for hydrogen-electric planes. It is expected to start work by 2028.
ZeroAvia plans to reach a global export market worth billions of pounds with the project. Its engines promise lower running costs for airlines and burn only water. The company is aiming for an engine for up to 20-seat planes to fly in 2026 while working on powertrains for 40- to 80-seat aircraft. Scottish Enterprise has given initial support with a grant of £9 million. This follows earlier funding of £20 million from the Scottish National Investment Bank. The grant will unlock further investments as the facility takes shape.
First Minister John Swinney visited Glasgow Airport to see ZeroAvia’s plan firsthand and meet with local partners. He said, “Scotland has the skills, the talent and the innovation to be at the forefront of efforts to tackle the climate emergency while developing significant new opportunities to grow the economy. ZeroAvia’s decision to establish a base in Scotland – creating 350 highly-skilled jobs in the process – is the perfect illustration of Scotland’s growing reputation in the global transition to net zero. Attracting inward investment is critical to economic growth and we will continue to work with Scottish Development International and other partners bring more high quality jobs to Scotland. By setting out a strategic vision in priority areas such as the hydrogen we are sending a clear statement to investors and businesses that Scotland is at the heart of the green energy revolution. The Hydrogen Centre of Excellence will be at the forefront of fuel cell technology and offers a hugely promising and exciting proposition for sustainable aviation.”
Val Miftakhov, Founder and Chief Executive of ZeroAvia, stated, “Scotland has some unique advantages for ZeroAvia with strong aerospace and engineering skills, a burgeoning hydrogen sector and a clear aviation strategy with potential for early adoption of zero-emission flights. The aviation industry is on the cusp of the biggest transformation since the advent of the jet age, with entirely new propulsion systems set to power the next era of aviation – cleaner flights, better economics and better experiences for all. With this new facility, Scotland has a big role to play in driving this transformation. We welcome the grant award from Scottish Enterprise and the support of our equity investors that has enabled us to move into another phase of manufacturing readiness as we progress towards certification of our first engines.”
Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive Adrian Gillespie added, “It is fantastic that we’ve been able to attract ZeroAvia to Scotland, not only for the jobs they will be creating, but for the hugely important role they can play in ensuring Scotland maintains its reputation for fostering innovative green technologies. Making aviation sustainable is crucial to a successful green economy and Scottish Enterprise is fully committed to backing ambitious companies with innovative ideas. ZeroAvia’s decision to come to Scotland is a real boost to our energy transition leadership, as well as being a further example of why Scotland is such a great place for inward investment.”
The project sits alongside efforts outlined in Scotland’s Green Industrial Strategy. The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland is led by Renfrewshire Council in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government. The district is home to key institutes such as the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre.