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Navantia: Spanish investment forging Scotland's energy future

Last updated: May 2026

Spanish multinational Navantia brings global scale to Scotland’s offshore renewables, defence and marine manufacturing industries. 

Overseas investment powering Scotland’s energy transition

From the wind powered shores of the Outer Hebrides to industrial Fife, Navantia’s investment in Scotland marks a bold statement of intent.

By combining world‑class marine engineering with Scotland’s growing offshore renewables capability, the global energy specialist is accelerating the country’s role in clean energy and defence infrastructure.

In early 2026, the multinational announced an investment of £12 million in Methil in Fife, and £5 million in the Arnish facility on the Isle of Lewis. In both locations, the company is supporting offshore energy fabrication and marine manufacturing, while creating jobs and apprenticeships. 

Methil investment is expanding capability and improving working environments

  • Access to a huge workforce

    Navantia UK is supported by professionals in offshore energy fabrication and marine manufacturing.

  • £12 million investment

    The multinational announced £12 million in Methil, Fife, which £5 million in the Arnish facility on the Isle of Lewis.

  • Under a £1.31 billion company

    Navantia UK is wholly owned by Navantia S.A that operates across Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the Americas.

A platform for industrial growth and supply chains

Donato Martínez, Chief Executive Officer, Navantia UK explains: “Methil and Arnish were a big reason we did the deal. Arnish has built a real reputation in subsea fabrication and specialist large-diameter rolling. Methil has decades of heavy steel fabrication behind it in the energy sector."

Both sites form part of a wider UK modernisation programme following Navantia’s acquisition of Harland & Wolff in January 2025. The company acquired Harland & Wolff’s four UK yards, anchoring shipbuilding and fabrication activity across the UK.

This has secured long‑term industrial capability in Scotland, and will strengthen links to defence and renewables supply chains. 

Donato Martínez, Chief Executive Officer, Navantia UK 

Engineering built on skills, scale and delivery

The Arnish facility is a specialised fabrication facility, providing a broad capability from its deep water port, supply chain and infrastructure. Methil provides large scale fabrication, and quayside access, supporting offshore renewables, steel structures and shipbuilding programmes.

Donato Martínez adds: “Before the acquisition we sent a technical delegation over to assess both sites. What came back was a clear picture: skilled workforces with real track records. Arnish for subsea and specialist fabrication, and Methil for heavy steel work for the offshore renewables sector."

He believes that Methil will open up routes into defence and commercial work, including projects through the Fleet Solid Support programme.

Methil won an export vessel build contract against international competition. This is considered a serious achievement, adding 120 more jobs to the yard. Arnish is delivering concurrent subsea contracts for international clients.

A strategic foothold for growth in northern Europe

Both facilities consolidate Navantia UK’s global portfolio of programmes. The sites give the global company a strategic foothold in northern Europe, capitalising on its abundance of renewable energy and infrastructure. 

To maximise this infrastructure, investing in talent is crucial for the firm. It has partnered with education institutions, including University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) and Fife College to deliver an ambitious apprenticeship programme. In 2026 the company will take on 35 apprentices in Scotland.

Support from Team Scotland partners

In early 2026, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) approved circa £3 million in funding to Navantia’s Arnish yard in Stornoway. Part of this funding will be used to improve efficiency and increase capacity in offshore wind infrastructure. This funding is part of the Scottish Government’s wider strategic investment of up to £500 million over five years to develop the offshore wind supply chain. HIE has also approved a further £965,000 towards pre-construction for additional facilities at the site. 

The funding will help Navantia UK increase its workforce from 150 to 250 at Arnish, including around 30 apprentices over the next ten years. 

Donato Martínez, Chief Executive Officer, Navantia UK adds: “HIE has been a close partner from the outset. The funding allows us to move faster on the Arnish investment, expanding capacity for offshore wind fabrication.”

Navantia UK’s investment programme at Arnish includes a new welfare block, upgraded office spaces, a training centre, improved security, refurbished overhead cranes, and energy-efficient heating systems. Arnish is well positioned to support the growing offshore wind sector, particularly through its support from ScotWind leasing. This will drive significant demand for fabrication capacity on Scotland’s west coast.

At Methil, investment is expanding capability and improving the working environment. The programme covers new cutting and plasma machinery, lifting systems and transporters, roof and door works, welfare and office improvements, and wider site upgrades. Recent approvals build on this with ventilation upgrades, additional covered capacity for painting, and a civil works programme covering drainage, surfacing and ground improvements.

So what is the multinational’s future plans in Scotland?

Donato Martínez, Chief Executive Officer, Navantia UK sums up: "We’re building a long-term position in energy transition and defence. Scotland is central to that. Methil and Arnish give us real capability on the ground. The £157 million we’re investing across our UK yards includes both Scottish sites."

He says this investment will be backed up with infrastructure, equipment and a new generation of skilled people.

Navantia UK is at the start of its growth story in Scotland.

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