Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe Ltd is investing £15.3m in its Livingston manufacturing facility to significantly increase its productivity, efficiency and research & development (R&D) capabilities to meet increasing European and UK demand for its innovative and sustainable low carbon heat pumps that tackle climate change.
Decarbonising heat is a key priority in achieving Net Zero targets worldwide to address the climate emergency, with heating accounting for more than 40% of global CO2 emissions.
The heating products manufactured at Livingston incorporate air and ground source heat pump technology, which are renewable low carbon alternatives to traditional high carbon heating systems.
This reliable, renewable heating technology delivers highly efficient sustainable space heating and hot water all year round.
The company’s R&D activity will support the development of next generation heat pump technology in Scotland, including investigating new ‘low global warming potential’ refrigerants and materials.
Following investigations, the company will seek ways to incorporate the outputs into future product manufacturing to create world-leading products that reduce their overall environmental impact, while delivering renewable energy that is urgently required for meeting environmental goals and achieving net zero status.
Earlier this week, as COP26 kicked off in Glasgow, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Scottish Enterprise to formalise their alliance. This strategic agreement was witnessed by Tatsuya Ishikawa, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Electric Europe BV, and Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson MSP.
The MOU will enable exploration of a low carbon heat pump centre of excellence in Scotland, as well as help the company extend its Scottish supply chain and innovation partners, leading to more high quality, green jobs in this critical sector.
Scottish Enterprise is contributing to Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe Ltd.’s investment project with a wide package of support, including £1.8m of grant funding, creating 55 new jobs and protecting 324 existing jobs. These jobs are well-paid technical and engineering roles which will be required to manage and operate the new processes delivered during the project.
