Offgrid Energy Labs Opens First Overseas ZincGel Battery Plant in UK

India-founded battery technology company Offgrid Energy Labs has commissioned its first international manufacturing facility in Hook, Hampshire, United Kingdom , marking the commercial production of its proprietary ZincGel long-duration energy storage batteries outside India. The new plant features a 10 MWh pilot production line and represents the company's first overseas manufacturing base. It is intended to validate the commercial deployment of its zinc-bromine battery technology while serving as a foundation for future large-scale manufacturing aimed at international energy storage markets. UK's First Dedicated ZincGel Battery Manufacturing Facility According to the company, the Hook facility is the United Kingdom's first dedicated manufacturing unit for ZincGel batteries. Apart from pilot-scale production, the plant is expected to demonstrate the commercial viability of the company's long-duration storage platform as demand for grid-scale energy storage continues to grow with renewable energy deployment. The expansion comes amid increasing global investment in energy storage systems to enhance renewable energy integration, improve grid reliability and strengthen energy security. In India, the Central Electricity Authority estimates that the country will require more than 411 GWh of energy storage capacity by 2031-32, including over 236 GWh from battery energy storage systems, underscoring the growing need for advanced storage technologies. Zinc-Bromine Technology Targets Long-Duration Storage Offgrid Energy Labs' ZincGel technology was developed through India's deep-science and innovation ecosystem and is based on zinc-bromine battery chemistry for stationary energy storage applications. The company said the batteries are non-flammable and eliminate the risk of thermal runaway, a key safety concern associated with conventional lithium-ion systems. The technology is designed to deliver 100 percent daily depth of discharge across storage durations ranging from six to sixteen hours while offering an operational lifespan of up to 20 years. The batteries are intended for applications including renewable energy integration, grid balancing, industrial backup power, microgrids and peak demand management. Commenting on the launch, Rishi Srivastava, Co-founder of Offgrid Energy Labs, said the UK facility marks a significant milestone in taking Indian deep-technology innovation to international markets. He added that the manufacturing unit will strengthen the company's ability to serve global customers while contributing to energy security, resilient supply chains and the transition to low-carbon power systems. Co-founder Tejas Kusurkar said the global energy transition will require multiple battery chemistries to meet diverse energy storage needs. He noted that zinc-bromine technology is well suited for stationary storage because of its long operating life, deep discharge capability, enhanced safety profile and the availability of abundant raw materials.