ZeroAvia will build a major manufacturing facility for production of its hydrogen-electric powertrains at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMIDS), close to Glasgow Airport in Renfrewshire.
ZeroAvia’s Hydrogen Centre of Excellence will support the company in a range of manufacturing operations relating to powertrain production and testing. It will also serve as the company’s primary location for production of advanced high temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cell stacks and supporting systems. With nearly 3,000 full engine and component pre-orders agreed with airlines and OEMs – corresponding to over $10 billion in future revenues – ZeroAvia is advancing its production operations to meet demand.
“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,” said Val Miftakhov, Founder & Chief Executive, ZeroAvia. “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,” continued Miftakhov. “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.”
The new facility will complement ZeroAvia’s Propulsion Center of Excellence in Washington State which is focused primarily on electric motors and power electronics. The company also has plans to expand its R&D and aircraft testing centre at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire.
The project in Scotland, which will support hundreds of jobs over the next few years, has been made possible by $12 million Regional Selective Assistance grant from Scottish Enterprise. This follows an equity investment of $27 million from the Scottish National Investment Bank into ZeroAvia as part of the company’s Series C funding, with the UK National Wealth Fund investing $43.2 million as a cornerstone-level investor in the round. The Series C funding round was led by Airbus, Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital and NEOM Investment Fund.
The UK Government awarded ZeroAvia and consortium partners $14 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 $25 million total R&D funding since 2019 to develop its fuel cell and powertrain technology. This support, alongside more than $250 million private investment, has enabled ZeroAvia to make rapid 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 aicraft in 2023, manufacturing and shipping fuel cell systems to customers, and securing significant regulatory traction for the certification of its powertrains.
“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,” said John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland. “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.”
“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,” Swinney continued. “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.”
“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,” said Adrian Gillespie, Chief Executive, Scottish Enterprise. “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.”
“ZeroAvia’s new facility in Scotland is fantastic news for the whole of the UK,” said Gary Elliott, Aerospace Technology Institute. “It shows how investment in aerospace research, made possible by support from the ATI Programme, is delivering jobs and growth right across the country, unlocking private investment and helping address climate change.”
