Slough and the Green Tech Export Opportunity.

Slough has long been recognised as a hub for enterprise, connectivity, and innovation. Today, as global markets accelerate the shift towards decarbonisation, Slough is uniquely positioned to lead in one of the most dynamic sectors of our time: green technology exports.

The Green Economy

Green technology exports combine strong financial returns with long-term resilience. Global demand for clean energy, electric mobility, and sustainable infrastructure is accelerating and according to the McKinsey report Opportunities for UK Businesses in the Net Zero Transition, the Net Zero economy could be worth up to £1 trillion in the UK by 2030.

Recent investments demonstrate Slough’s readiness to scale the green economy. The Slough Multifuel Project, a new 60MW waste-to-energy facility, has begun operations, providing a major boost to local decarbonisation while showcasing the type of infrastructure with global export potential.

For investors, this represents not only access to high-growth markets but also alignment with net-zero mandates and ESG commitments that are reshaping capital allocation worldwide. Exportable green solutions provide scalable, repeatable models that deliver revenue across multiple geographies, while de-risking portfolios against carbon-intensive assets.

Where Green Tech can Thrive

Slough has an economy valued at around £9–10 billion, according to the Centre for Cities report, and a GDP per capita among the highest in the UK. The report highlights Slough’s efforts in urban regeneration, attracting businesses, and investing in transport infrastructure to enhance its economic competitiveness, and comes in at second place in towns who have the highest productivity growth.  

Home to over 7,500 businesses, including a very high concentration of corporate headquarters and the highest number of global HQs outside London, Slough has a track record of international trade making it a natural launchpad for green tech solutions with global relevance.

The Slough Trading Estate is Europe’s largest single-ownership business estates, with over 600 businesses employing around 20,000 people. Having such a large industrial and commercial campus offers scale opportunities for green infrastructure, energy efficiency retrofits, clean tech deployment and testbeds.

Pat Hayes, Executive Director of Housing, Property, and Regeneration at Slough Borough Council said: “With world-class infrastructure, a concentration of innovative companies, and unrivalled connectivity, investors here can scale green tech solutions rapidly and access international markets faster than almost anywhere else in the UK.”

Opportunities for Growth

Slough’s position at the intersection of advanced industry, global connectivity, and research excellence means there are multiple areas where green tech can scale rapidly:

• Clean Energy & Storage: Growth in solar integration, battery storage, and smart grid solutions can leverage Slough’s commercial and industrial estate footprint, providing real-world demonstrations for technologies that can be exported globally.

• Sustainable Construction & Retrofit: With ambitious national targets for decarbonising the built environment, Slough offers a testbed for low-carbon materials, modular construction, and advanced HVAC systems that reduce emissions at scale.

• Electric Mobility & Infrastructure: Positioned on major transport corridors, Slough is primed for expansion of EV charging infrastructure, fleet transition hubs, and smart mobility platforms, which can be exported to international markets facing similar transport decarbonisation challenges.

• Circular Economy & Advanced Manufacturing: Slough’s manufacturing base and logistics expertise create opportunities in recycling innovation, waste-to-value technologies, and sustainable supply chains—areas in growing demand worldwide.

• Digital & PropTech Platforms: From AI-driven energy efficiency tools to IoT-enabled building management systems, digital solutions developed in Slough can scale rapidly into global property, energy, and infrastructure markets.

Innovation from Start-ups and SMEs

Alongside its established corporate base, Slough is home to a vibrant network of start-ups and SMEs that are driving innovation in the green economy. These agile businesses are at the forefront of developing technologies in areas such as energy optimisation, sustainable construction materials, digital proptech, and clean mobility solutions. Their ability to adapt quickly, test new ideas, and scale successful models makes them an essential part of Slough’s green tech ecosystem.

Slough Borough Council is committed to supporting this entrepreneurial community by providing access to business growth programmes, connecting innovators with investors, and fostering collaboration with larger corporates based in the borough. This creates a powerful pipeline where early-stage ideas can be incubated locally and then exported to meet international demand.

For businesses, investors, and innovators, Slough offers not just a place to operate, but a platform to scale, test, and export world-class solutions that meet the urgent demands of the net-zero economy.