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Rotech Subsea proves Scotland's ingenuity in energy transition

Last updated: March 2025

With its subsea technologies, Rotech Subsea demonstrates the great depths of Scotland’s capabilities in engineering and energy transition globally.

Scottish innovation across three continents

Ever wondered how offshore wind farms, some hundreds of miles away, distribute their power to land? Credit must go to the international teams that lay thousands of miles of cable. These are cables that require trenches to be expertly carved in the seabed. 

Rotech Subsea is an expert in this field. Based in Aberdeen, it brings Scottish innovation to the world on so many levels. The company is a pioneer in Controlled Flow Excavation (CFE) and suspended jet trenching technologies that are now in demand internationally. Rotech celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, marking three decades of Scotland's famous inventive spirit.   

Its subsea technologies, deployed across three continents, are a symbol of the nation’s strengths in engineering and energy transition.  

Rotech is a global provider of subsea cable trenching solutions

  • Transforming global energy transition

    from Aberdeen, deploying technologies in over 20 countries and on target to deliver 700 projects.

  • High demand for subsea technologies

    for route clearance, trenching, asset burial and de-burial, all critical processes in offshore wind. 

  • Employs 70 plus people globally

    across engineering, technology and business development, spanning the US, Asia and Europe.

Ross Johnston, Business Development Manager, explains: “We operate in over 20 countries and have successfully delivered nearly 700 projects, while growing to more than 70 professionals. Most of our work is for windfarm development, and our projects are split between Taiwan, the US and across the rest of Europe.”

Rotech’s story began in 1994, when it acquired Volker Stevin Offshore (VSO), a North Sea fabrication services provider. This acquisition, combined with Scotland’s rich engineering expertise, enabled the firm to develop its groundbreaking technologies, including the Flowdredger mass flow excavation device.

With the global shift towards clean energy and net-zero targets, Scotland has positioned itself as a hub for offshore wind and subsea innovation. Scotland is a top 10 global leader in energy transition, backed by a thriving technology ecosystem driving innovation in renewables and low-carbon solutions. 

Rotech has embraced this transition, developing versatile solutions and services that are unique to international seabed excavation and customer requirements. 

The introduction of its RS3, a high-pressure excavation tool, in 2023 is a prime example of this commitment to innovation. 

Technologies critical to world energy transition 

Dr Donald Stewart, Managing Director of Rotech, explains: “Before the RS3, pressures were limited to around 50 kilopascals (kPa). Now, we’ve boosted that capability to 350 kPa, opening up entirely new applications previously beyond the reach of non-contact excavation technologies.”

This continued drive for innovation has solidified Rotech’s position as a global provider for subsea route clearance, trenching, asset burial and de-burial. These are seen as critical processes in offshore wind and energy transition projects across the world.

Rotech is testament to Scotland's offshore wind energy transition vision

Eastern energy market promise

Ross Johnston adds: “We’ve been supporting the rapidly growing market in Taiwan since 2020. With five lots of equipment deployed during busy workloads, Rotech has significantly expanded its presence to meet global demand.”

Having contracted for every major operational offshore wind farm in the US, Rotech strengthened its position with the launch of a new office in Providence, Rhode Island in 2023. This move ensures it can provide in-country support for its growing North American client base.

So why does Rotech appeal to global customers when they could choose a contactor from elsewhere in the world? 

Rotech’s success thrives on its people and culture, the heart of the business

Taking ideas from concepts to reality 

While technology and market expansion have powered Rotech’s success, its people and culture remain at the heart of the business. The company has upheld its family-oriented, collaborative values, ensuring that employees are empowered to innovate and develop.

Dr Donald Stewart adds: "We encourage our people to take ideas from concept to reality. The joy of working at Rotech is seeing something go from a theoretical idea, into fabrication, and then operation — all driven by our team. That’s what makes Scottish engineering and innovation so powerful."

With a busy order book, there's increasing demand for its technology, and a need to expand into new markets. Rotech’s future looks as bright as its past 30 years of success. 

Its burgeoning footprint overseas from Scotland's energy hub in Aberdeen has been supported by Scottish Development International (SDI), the global arm of Scottish Enterprise. Ross Johnstone regularly meets SDI's Senior Executive for Trade, Barry Logue, in the US when visiting Rotech's Rhode Island office.

SDI connects Scottish pioneers like Rotech

The company uses SDI Trade Missions to network with customers, and its events to connect with organisations throughout global supply chains.

Summing up, Ross says: “We’ll continue to bring the expertise of Scottish engineering and energy transition to a worldwide audience. Rotech will focus on helping it convert to renewable energy by developing UK and international windfarm projects. This includes large interconnector projects with Europe, sizable contracts inthe US and decommissioning work in Australia.”

SDI is proud to have supported Rotech on its journey, reinforcing Scotland's track record in energy transition and scaling innovation. This support has enabled the company to attract customers globally, connecting with Scotland’s leading experts and supply chain partners. 

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