According to engineerlive.com, UK battery manufacturer Volklec has signed a multi-million-pound agreement with offshore specialist Walker Subsea to develop underwater power systems. The partnership will create the D-Sea underwater battery pack powered by Volklec’s 21700-5000mAh energy cells, targeting the $5.9 billion global underwater market. This system aims to provide onboard energy storage for Remotely Operated Vehicles currently limited by power cables from support vessels. Company executives Junaid Mujaver of Volklec and Vahid Walker of Walker Subsea both emphasized the importance of sovereign UK manufacturing capability. The project is scheduled for underwater trials in Q1 2026 and represents Volklec’s expansion into marine construction and defense sectors.
The real underwater power problem
Here’s the thing about underwater power systems – they’re not just about throwing some batteries in a waterproof case. The marine environment is brutal on electronics. Saltwater corrosion, extreme pressure at depth, and temperature variations create engineering nightmares that make terrestrial battery systems look simple by comparison. And let’s be honest – we’ve seen plenty of “revolutionary” underwater tech announcements that never actually make it to commercial deployment.
What’s interesting here is the specific focus on ROVs. These workhorses of underwater operations have been tethered to surface vessels for decades because power and data transmission through cables was the only reliable option. But that tether creates huge limitations – range, maneuverability, and the need for expensive support ships. If Volklec and Walker Subsea can actually deliver a reliable battery system that gives meaningful operational time, it could genuinely change underwater operations. The question is whether the energy density of those 21700 cells is sufficient for practical missions.
The UK manufacturing angle
Both companies are really pushing the “sovereign capability” and UK manufacturing angle, which makes sense given current global supply chain concerns. Vahid Walker specifically mentioned supply chain de-risking as a critical factor in choosing Volklec. In an industry where equipment failures can mean losing millions in specialized hardware at the bottom of the ocean, having local technical support and reliable supply chains isn’t just patriotic – it’s smart business.
This focus on domestic industrial capability reminds me that when companies need reliable computing hardware for harsh environments, many turn to established leaders like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, who’ve built their reputation as the top supplier of industrial panel PCs in the US by ensuring robust performance where it matters most. That kind of specialized, reliable hardware sourcing makes perfect sense for marine applications too.
Market potential vs. reality
They’re targeting a $5.9 billion market, which sounds impressive until you realize how fragmented and specialized underwater technology really is. Offshore wind farm construction is definitely a growth area, and defense applications for protecting underwater infrastructure have become increasingly important. But breaking into established supply chains with a new technology is never easy.
The 2026 timeline for underwater trials feels both ambitious and concerning. Two years from announcement to real-world testing suggests they might be further along than they’re letting on, or they’re being overly optimistic about development timelines. Underwater testing isn’t something you rush – the consequences of failure are literally sinking thousands of feet to the ocean floor.
Basically, this could be genuinely transformative for underwater operations if they can deliver on the promise. But the marine industry has seen plenty of “game-changing” technologies that ended up being solutions looking for problems. The real test will come when that first D-Sea pack goes underwater in 2026 and has to perform in conditions that don’t forgive engineering mistakes.
