Across the UK, the next industrial revolution is being driven by clean technology. From electric vehicle battery plants to hydrogen hubs and renewable energy manufacturers, a wave of green industry investment is reshaping the country’s industrial property landscape. For landlords, developers and investors, this shift is creating fresh opportunities in locations once considered beyond the traditional logistics heartlands.

The Clean Tech Catalyst

The government’s drive toward net zero by 2050 has set the stage for a new kind of industrial growth. Major private and public investments in battery gigafactories, electric vehicle (EV) supply chains and hydrogen production are fuelling demand for advanced industrial space.

Projects such as Tata’s planned gigafactory in Somerset, and Envision AESC’s expansion in Sunderland highlights the scale of transformation underway. These facilities require large plots of land, high-capacity power connections, and excellent transport links—conditions that are turning overlooked industrial regions into high-demand property hotspots.

Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Clusters

Beyond the automotive sector, hydrogen innovation and renewable energy manufacturing are powering growth across the UK.

Teesside, Humberside, and the Central Belt of Scotland are significant hubs for new low-carbon production facilities, component manufacturers and supply chain businesses. Each cluster is stimulating demand for surrounding warehouses, R&D, and light industrial units—spaces that can adapt to new technologies and meet the environmental performance standards expected by clean tech occupiers.

Retrofits, ESG, and the Rise of the Green Industrial Unit

As sustainability becomes central to corporate strategy, existing industrial stock is also evolving. Many older warehouses and manufacturing facilities are being retrofitted with solar panels, EV charging infrastructure, and energy-efficient insulation and lighting.

Landlords investing in these upgrades are seeing tangible returns, as occupiers prioritise low-carbon buildings to help meet their own ESG reporting requirements. These improvements not only reduce operational costs but also extend the lifespan and appeal of older properties within the competitive industrial market.

Regional Opportunities for Growth

While the South East continues to attract logistics and distribution demand, clean tech is broadening the industrial investment map.

• The Midlands – home to a strong automotive base, is emerging as a hub for electric vehicle component manufacturing.
• North East England – with its established energy expertise and available land, is fast becoming a centre for battery and offshore renewable production.
• South Wales – is seeing renewed manufacturing activity around recycling and green energy equipment.

 

Each region offers different strengths, but all share one thing in common: a growing appetite for modern, sustainable industrial real estate that can support the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Industrial Real Estate

Clean tech is redefining what “industrial property” means in the 21st century. It’s no longer just about storage and distribution—it’s about innovation, energy resilience, and sustainability. Developers who can deliver flexible, future-ready facilities will be best placed to capture demand as manufacturing reshapes around new technologies and green growth.

For commercial property professionals, it’s an exciting time to watch the industrial market evolve.

Explore Opportunities

From new-build industrial units to retrofit-ready estates, NovaLoca connects agents, investors, and occupiers across every region of the UK.

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