ZeroAvia has announced plans to develop a major hydrogen-electric powertrain manufacturing site at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) near Glasgow Airport in Renfrewshire. The new Hydrogen Centre of Excellence will focus on the production and testing of powertrains, including high-temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cell stacks critical to decarbonising aviation.
The Scottish project will complement ZeroAvia’s existing operations in the U.S. and England and forms part of the company’s efforts to scale production in response to nearly 3,000 pre-orders for its hydrogen-electric engines. The new facility is expected to support hundreds of jobs and attract millions in private investment.
Backed by a £9 million grant from Scottish Enterprise and a £20 million equity investment from the Scottish National Investment Bank, the facility also received support through the UK Government’s National Wealth Fund and the Aerospace Technology Institute. The ATI awarded £10.5 million in 2024 to develop HTPEM fuel cells, contributing to a total of £18.5 million in UK Government R&D support for the company since 2019.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and UK Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray attended the launch of the plans at Glasgow Airport on 21 May. The project is expected to play a key role in both regional economic development and the UK’s green aviation strategy.
ZeroAvia is currently working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority to certify a 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain and is developing the ZA2000 system for larger 40-80 seat aircraft. The high-temperature fuel cells to be manufactured at the Renfrewshire facility will be essential for scaling up to these aircraft sizes. The company will advance planning for the facility in the coming months and plans to co-locate with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) at AMIDS.
