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). E facility will mak advanced fuel cell systems for hydrogen-electric planes. It is expectit tae stert wark bi 2028.

ZeroAvia plans tae rax a global export mercat wirth billions o pund wi the project. Its engines promise laaer rinnin costs for airlines an ainly pit oot watter. E company is aimin for an engine for up tae 20-seat planes tae flee in 2026 fyle warkin on pouertrains for 40- tae 80-seat aircraft. Scottish Enterprise has gien initial support wi a grant o £9 million. Iss follaes earlier fundin o £20 million fae the Scottish National Investment Bank. E grant will unlock forder investments as e facility taks shape.

First Minister John Swinney visited Glesga Airport tae see ZeroAvia’s plan firsthaund an meet wi local pairtners. He said, “Scotland his e skills, e talent an e innovation tae be at e forefront o efforts tae tackle the climate emergency fyle developin significant nyow opportunities tae growe e economy. ZeroAvia’s decision tae set up a base in Scotland – creatin 350 heichly-skilled jobs in e process – is e perfect illustration o Scotland’s growein reputation in e global transition til net zero. Attractin inward investment is critical tae economic growth 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 e hydrogen we are sendin a clear statement tae investors an businesses aat Scotland is at e hert o the green energy revolution. E Hydrogen Centre o Excellence will be at e forefront o fuel cell technology an offers a gey promisin an excitin proposition for sustainable aviation.”

Val Miftakhov, Founner an Chief Executive o ZeroAvia, stated, “Scotland his 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. E aviation industry is on e cusp o the biggest transformation syne the advent o the jet age, wi entirely nyow propulsion systems set tae pouer e neist era o aviation – cleaner flichts, better economics an better experiences for aabody. Wi iss nyow facility, Scotland his a muckle role tae play in drivin iss transformation. We walcome e grant award fae Scottish Enterprise an e support o oor equity investors aat his enabled us tae move 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 aat we’ve bin able tae attract ZeroAvia tae Scotland, nae ainly for e jobs they will be creatin, but for e 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 committed tae backin ambitious companies wi innovative ideas. ZeroAvia’s decision tae come tae Scotland is a rale boost tae wir energy transition leadership, as weel as bein a forder example o fit wey Scotland is sic a braw place for inward investment.”

E project sits alangside efforts ootlined in Scotland’s Green Industrial Strategy. E Advanced Manufacturin Innovation Destrict Scotland is led by Renfrewshire Cooncil in pairtnership wi Scottish Enterprise an e Scottish Government. E destrict is hame tae key institutes sic as e National Manufacturin Institute Scotland an e Medicines Manufacturin Innovation Centre.