ZeroAvia announced that it will build a manufacturing facility for production of its hydrogen-electric powertrains at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland, close to Glasgow Airport in Renfrewshire.
ZeroAvia’s Hydrogen Centre of Excellence will support the company in manufacturing operations relating to powertrain production and testing and will also be the company’s primary location for production of advanced high temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cell stacks and supporting systems.
The new facility will complement ZeroAvia’s Propulsion Center of Excellence in Washington State, which is focusing primarily on electric motors and power electronics. The company also has plans to expand its R&D and aircraft testing center at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire.
The project in Scotland, which will unlock millions in private investment and support hundreds of jobs over the next few years, has been made possible by a £9m Regional Selective Assistance grant from Scottish Enterprise. This follows an equity investment of £20m from the Scottish National Investment Bank into ZeroAvia as part of the company’s Series C funding, with the UK National Wealth Fund investing £32m as a cornerstone-level investor in the round. The Series C round was led by Airbus, Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital and NEOM Investment Fund.
The UK Government awarded ZeroAvia and consortium partners £10.5 million to develop the advanced HTPEM fuel cells in 2024 via the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) program in conjunction with the Department for Business and Trade and Innovate UK.
The UK Government has awarded ZeroAvia £18.5 million total R&D funding since 2019 to develop their fuel cell and powertrain technology. This support alongside more than $250 million private investment has enabled ZeroAvia to make progress: flying the world’s first hydrogen-electric commercial scale aircraft in 2020, more than doubling the power output to again fly the world’s largest hydrogen-electric aircraft in 2023, manufacturing and shipping fuel cell systems to customers, and securing regulatory traction for the certification of its first powertrains.
Scotland First Minister John Swinney, Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray and ZeroAvia's CEO Val Miftakhov spoke at an event at Glasgow Airport on Wednesday, May 21 to launch ZeroAvia’s plans for its manufacturing facility at AMIDS.
Founder and Chief Executive, ZeroAvia Val Miftakhov said, “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,” Miftakhov added.
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney 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.”
Swinney continued, “By setting out a strategic vision in priority areas such as 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.”
Chief Executive, Scottish Enterprise Adrian Gillespie said, “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,” added Gillespie.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said, “Crucial investment from the UK Government is helping to develop the fuel cell technology that will be manufactured here in Scotland at this new facility. It will create and sustain hundreds of skilled Scottish jobs, help achieve our Net Zero goals and boost the economy. This is a key part of our Plan for Change.”
“ZeroAvia’s expansion in Renfrewshire underlines everything that our Brand Scotland campaign champions - promoting Scotland’s goods, services and skilled workforce worldwide. I’m delighted to see this project move forward. It is a perfect example of the UK and Scottish Governments working together to drive innovation and manufacturing in Scotland,” Murray added.
UK Government Industry Minister Sarah Jones said, “This is a major vote of confidence from ZeroAvia in both our modern Industrial Strategy and Scotland’s thriving advanced manufacturing sector, which will create good, well-paid jobs working on the green technologies of the future. Made possible with support from the UK Government, this is testament to how industry and government can work together to drive investment, growth and jobs in every corner of the UK, showing our Plan for Change is working.”
Chief Executive of Scottish National Investment Bank Al Denholm said, “Decarbonising aviation and developing our hydrogen industry are critical elements in our journey toward a net-zero economy. Having ZeroAvia’s manufacturing base near Glasgow Airport will bring highly skilled jobs to the area, and we’re particularly pleased to see the demand that already exists for this innovative technology”
The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) is a collaborative project between Renfrewshire Council and Buccleuch Property which targets establishing Renfrewshire as Scotland’s home for manufacturing innovation.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said, “We are delighted to welcome ZeroAvia to AMIDS as they bring cutting-edge technology and expertise to Renfrewshire, and the potential for hundreds of jobs and millions in private investment into the area. Working with Buccleuch Property, we will continue to provide a sector-leading environment for advanced manufacturing and life science businesses to locate and collaborate and we believe ZeroAvia will be the first of many to call AMIDS home in the coming years.”
ZeroAvia is advancing certification of a 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain with the UK CAA and also working with the regulator as part of its Hydrogen Sandbox Challenge. The company is also developing the next generation of fuel cell aircraft engines with its ZA2000 for 40-80-seat aircraft.
Scaling to meet the power and operational requirements for these larger aircraft requires advanced fuel cells with higher power-to-weight ratio. The high temperature fuel cells that ZeroAvia will manufacture in the planned Glasgow facility are key to unlocking fuel cell propulsion for larger aircraft.
ZeroAvia will advance planning of its facility at AMIDS over the next few months and plans initially to locate team members at the adjacent National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS).
