Offgrid Energy Labs Launches First UK Pilot Plant for India-Developed Batteries

Offgrid Energy Labs has launched its first UK pilot manufacturing facility for its India-developed ZincGel® long-duration batteries. The 10 MWh plant marks the commercial scale-up of the company's proprietary zinc-bromine technology. Offgrid aims to serve global energy storage markets while expanding manufacturing of India-origin battery innovation through an international production network.

Offgrid Energy Labs has launched its first ZincGel pilot battery manufacturing facility in Hook, United Kingdom, marking the first international manufacturing base for its India-origin battery technology. The 10 MWh demonstration line is the company's first commercial pilot manufacturing facility and represents the transition of its India-developed long-duration energy storage technology from laboratory development to commercial-scale production.

The launch comes as countries expand renewable energy capacity and increase investments in long-duration energy storage technologies.

The development also coincides with the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which comes into effect on July 15. According to the company, the agreement is expected to support greater collaboration between the two countries, including the movement of skilled professionals.

Offgrid said its ZincGel technology was conceptualised and developed in India using zinc-bromine chemistry. The battery technology is designed for long-duration stationary energy storage and is intended for applications including renewable energy integration, peak-load management, microgrids and industrial backup systems.

According to the company, the batteries are non-flammable, eliminating thermal runaway risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. They are designed to deliver 100% depth of discharge daily across a six-to-16-hour discharge range and have an operating life of up to 20 years.

India has already achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources ahead of schedule and is targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Citing estimates from the Central Electricity Authority, the company said India's energy storage requirement is projected to reach 411.4 GWh by 2031-32, including more than 236 GWh from battery energy storage systems.

Rishi Srivastava, Co-founder, Offgrid Energy Labs, said, “The launch of our UK manufacturing facility represents an important milestone not only for Offgrid, but for the global commercialisation of Indian deep-tech innovation. We are launching at a pivotal moment for the India UK relationship as the CETA takes effect from the 15th of July. As the world scales renewable energy deployment and strengthens its focus on energy security and supply-chain resilience, there is an increasing need for next-generation storage technologies that are safe, scalable and built for long-duration applications. We believe ZincGel® can play a meaningful role in supporting both India's and the world's energy transition. By establishing our first manufacturing capability in the UK, we are creating a foundation to serve global markets while demonstrating how India-origin innovation can contribute to solving some of the world's most pressing energy challenges around energy sovereignty, industrial resilience and decarbonisation.”

The company said the UK facility reflects growing efforts to diversify global battery supply chains beyond lithium-based technologies. It added that zinc-based battery systems can help improve energy security by using more widely available materials while supporting the expansion of renewable energy.

Offgrid said its ZincGel® platform is backed by bromine supply relationships with Archean Chemical Industries, India's largest bromine exporter. The company is also supported by venture capital firm Ankur Capital.

Tejas Kusurkar, Co-founder, Offgrid Energy Labs, said, “The energy transition requires a portfolio of battery chemistries designed for different applications. While existing technology has been instrumental in enabling mobility and short-duration storage, long-duration stationary applications demand technologies that prioritise safety, deep discharge capability, longevity, and supply-chain resilience. ZincGel® is built on zinc-bromine chemistry, using abundant and widely available materials to deliver safe, non-flammable, long-duration storage for grid-scale applications. As renewable energy penetration increases, alternative battery chemistries such as zinc-based systems will play an increasingly important role in delivering reliable, cost-effective and resilient energy storage.”

Offgrid said the UK manufacturing facility is the first step in its plan to build a global manufacturing network based on battery technology developed in India. The company is registered in India, the UK and the US, with more than 60 patents filed across India, the UK, the European Union and the United States. It is backed by investors including Shell Ventures, Ankur Capital and Archean Chemical Industries.