Quick Read
- Andrew Scott, famed for his ‘Hot Priest’ role, is also CEO of Orbital Marine Power.
- Scott’s company led a world-first project integrating tidal energy, flow battery storage, and hydrogen production in Scotland.
- The project was a collaboration with Invinity Energy Systems and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).
- Scott advocates that marine energy and battery storage can open new markets and enable higher decarbonisation.
- His leadership highlights the growing role of public figures in advancing renewable energy innovation.
Andrew Scott: More Than the ‘Hot Priest’
If you know Andrew Scott, you probably picture him as the enigmatic ‘Hot Priest’ from the acclaimed series Fleabag. But in 2025, Scott’s impact stretches far beyond the television screen. He’s become a compelling figure at the intersection of pop culture and cleantech, drawing attention not just for his performances but for his role in the evolving landscape of renewable energy.
The Actor in the Spotlight – and Off It
Scott’s recent interviews, including a memorable exchange with fellow Irish actor Daryl McCormack and journalist Melissa Nathoo, riff on his iconic ‘Hot Priest’ status. With characteristic wit, Scott joked about passing the baton, suggesting the role had taken on a life of its own in the public imagination (Yahoo! News). Yet, while fans debate who might inherit the mantle, Scott himself has been busy supporting another cause—one that could shape the future of energy as profoundly as any role has shaped his career.
Championing Clean Energy: The Tidal Power Connection
What does an actor have to do with renewable energy? As it turns out, quite a lot—especially when that actor is Andrew Scott, who also serves as CEO of Orbital Marine Power, a pioneering company in the marine energy sector. This fact might surprise those who know him only from his screen work, but for Scott, the worlds of innovation and storytelling are deeply intertwined.
Orbital Marine Power, under Scott’s leadership, has been at the forefront of tidal energy projects that seek to harness the predictable power of the sea. In late 2024, Orbital partnered with Invinity Energy Systems and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) on a world-first demonstration in Orkney, Scotland. The project successfully integrated tidal turbines, vanadium flow batteries, and hydrogen production, providing a stable power supply for green hydrogen generation (CleanTechnica).
Scott, in a statement following the project’s milestone, emphasized the importance of combining marine energy with advanced storage solutions. “Tidal energy offers a predictable source of renewable power,” he noted. “By maximising generation through battery storage, we minimise curtailment and enable industrial offtake that can achieve higher decarbonisation, creating new markets for tidal energy and providing valuable services like grid balancing.”
From On-Screen Charisma to Real-World Impact
Scott’s journey from celebrated actor to cleantech leader is more than a quirky career pivot—it’s a testament to the growing synergy between public figures and social innovation. His involvement with Orbital Marine Power comes at a time when the U.S. Department of Energy is actively supporting utility-scale battery technologies, including vanadium flow batteries developed by Invinity. These batteries are being tested for their ability to provide grid-scale storage, a crucial component in making renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and tidal viable at scale.
The collaboration in Orkney, which brought together Orbital’s O2 tidal turbine, Invinity’s 1.8 MWh vanadium flow battery, and ITM Power’s electrolyser, marked a turning point for the integration of marine energy and hydrogen production. The stable, predictable output of tidal energy—when combined with battery storage—makes it possible to produce hydrogen efficiently, even in the challenging environment of the North Sea.
“Maintaining a stable power supply to an electrolyser is key to the production of green hydrogen, which is why EMEC chose Invinity’s VFBs to support this project,” Invinity reported. The project’s success offers a blueprint for similar ventures in other parts of the world, including the United States, where energy policy continues to evolve.
Entertainment, Innovation, and the Future
While Andrew Scott continues to captivate audiences with his acting, his leadership at Orbital Marine Power demonstrates how creative minds can drive innovation in unexpected sectors. The cleantech world, much like the entertainment industry, thrives on vision, perseverance, and the ability to connect with people’s hopes for a better future.
Scott’s dual legacy—as a beloved performer and as a champion of renewable energy—embodies the spirit of 2025: a year when the boundaries between art and science, celebrity and social change, feel more permeable than ever. As fans debate who might become the next ‘Hot Priest’, Scott is quietly working to ensure that the next generation inherits not just memorable stories, but a cleaner, more sustainable world.
Andrew Scott’s evolving public role illustrates how figures from popular culture can leverage their influence to advance critical global initiatives, such as the transition to renewable energy. His work with Orbital Marine Power and collaborations with technology partners underscore the value of cross-sector leadership in addressing climate challenges. The facts show that when innovation and advocacy intersect, both industries—and society at large—stand to benefit.