A new manufacturin base in Scotland is set tae drive clean future traivel an create 350 skilled jobs. US firm ZeroAvia will bigg a Hydrogen Centre o Excellence in Renfrewshire’s Advanced Manufacturin Innovation Destrict Scotland (AMIDS). The facility will mak advanced fuel cell systems for hydrogen-electric planes. It is expected tae stert wark by 2028.
ZeroAvia plans tae rax a global export mercat worth billions o pund wi the project. Its engines promise lawer rinnin costs for airlines an ainly pit oot watter. The company is aimin for an engine for up tae 20-seat planes tae flee in 2026 while warkin on pouertrains for 40- tae 80-seat aircraft. Scottish Enterprise has gien initial support wi a grant o £9 million. This follaes earlier fundin o £20 million fae the Scottish National Investment Bank. The grant will unlock forder investments as the facility taks shape.
First Minister John Swinney visited Glesga Airport tae see ZeroAvia’s plan firsthaun an meet wi local pairtners. He said, “Scotland has the skills, the talent an the innovation tae be at the forefront o efforts tae tackle the climate emergency while developin significant new opportunities tae growe the economy. ZeroAvia’s decision tae set up a base in Scotland – creatin 350 heichly-skilled jobs in the process – is the perfect illustration o Scotland’s growein reputation in the global transition tae net zero. Attractin inward investment is critical tae economic groweth an we will continue tae wark wi Scottish Development International an ither pairtners tae bring mair heich quality jobs tae Scotland. By settin oot a strategic vision in priority areas sic as hydrogen we are sendin a clear statement tae investors an businesses that Scotland is at the hert o the green energy revolution. The Hydrogen Centre o Excellence will be at the forefront o fuel cell technology an offers a hugely promisin an excitin proposition for sustainable aviation.”
Val Miftakhov, Foondin Fella an Chief Executive o ZeroAvia, stated, “Scotland has some unique advantages for ZeroAvia wi strang aerospace an engineerin skills, a growein hydrogen sector an a clear aviation strategy wi potential for early adoption o zero-emission flichts. The aviation industry is on the cusp o the biggest transformation syne the advent o the jet age, wi entirely new propulsion systems set tae pouer the neist era o aviation – cleaner flichts, better economics an better experiences for aw. Wi this new facility, Scotland has a muckle role tae play in drivin this transformation. We walcome the grant awaird fae Scottish Enterprise an the support o oor equity investors that has enabled us tae shift intae anither phase o manufacturin readiness as we progress tae certification o oor first engines.”
Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive Adrian Gillespie added, “It is fantastic that we hae bin able tae attract ZeroAvia tae Scotland, no ainly for the jobs they will be creatin, but for the gey important role they can play in ensurin Scotland hauds its reputation for fosterin innovative green technologies. Makkin aviation sustainable is crucial tae a successfu green economy an Scottish Enterprise is fully committit tae backin ambitious companies wi innovative ideas. ZerAvia’s decision tae come tae Scotland is a real boost tae oor energy transition leadership, as weel as bein a forder example o whit wey Scotland is sic a braw place for inward investment.”
The project sits alangside efforts ootlined in Scotland’s Green Industrial Strategy. The Advanced Manufacturin Innovation Destrict Scotland is led by Renfrewshire Cooncil in pairtnership wi Scottish Enterprise an the Scottish Government. The destrict is hame tae key institutes sic as the National Manufacturin Institute Scotland an the Medicines Manufacturin Innovation Centre.