Our Bureau
London
An Indian deep-tech company has taken a significant step in the global energy transition by launching its first overseas battery manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom, marking a milestone for India’s growing clean technology sector. Offgrid Energy Labs has inaugurated a 10 MWh pilot manufacturing plant in Hook, Hampshire, to commercially produce its India-developed ZincGel long-duration battery technology.
The facility is the company’s first commercial-scale production line and represents the transition of its proprietary zinc-bromine battery technology from laboratory research to international manufacturing. The development comes as countries worldwide accelerate renewable energy deployment and seek safer, long-duration energy storage solutions to strengthen energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, ZincGel batteries are non-flammable and designed to eliminate thermal runaway risks. The technology offers up to 100 per cent depth of discharge across a six-to-16-hour duration and an operational life of nearly 20 years, making it suitable for renewable energy integration, microgrids, industrial backup systems and peak-load management.
The launch also coincides with the implementation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on July 15, which is expected to deepen collaboration in advanced manufacturing, innovation and skilled workforce mobility between the two countries.
India has already achieved 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources ahead of schedule and aims to reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. According to estimates cited by the company, the country’s energy storage requirement is expected to rise to over 411 GWh by 2031-32, underlining the need for scalable battery technologies.
Backed by investors including Shell Ventures, Ankur Capital and Archean Chemical Industries, Offgrid plans to use its UK facility as the foundation for a global manufacturing network, positioning India-origin battery innovation to serve international clean energy markets.
