Recently, SoftBank Group officially announced the launch of its battery business in Japan, aiming to meet the growing power demands of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. SoftBank plans to conduct research and development, as well as production of cell and battery energy storage systems, in the former Sharp Saka factory area in Osaka Prefecture, and will also build a large AI data center park.

According to SoftBank's plan, this battery business is expected to start production in the 2028 fiscal year, with a capacity reaching the gigawatt-hour level. Initially, these batteries will be prioritized for use in SoftBank's own AI data centers, and later will also provide solar and wind energy storage solutions for industrial and household sectors. In addition, SoftBank is considering expanding the business to overseas markets.

SoftBank stated that it aims to achieve annual sales of more than 1 trillion yen (approximately 43.38 billion yuan) in the 2030 fiscal year. As technology companies' demand for stable power supply continues to grow, the efficiency of battery technology has become increasingly important, ensuring stable power supply while reducing environmental pressure from the expansion of digital infrastructure.

To this end, SoftBank has partnered with South Korean startup Cosmos Lab to develop new zinc-halogen cell technology. This cell uses aqueous electrolyte, avoiding the flammable organic materials commonly used in lithium-ion batteries, thus reducing fire risks and offering high energy efficiency. Raw materials such as zinc and halogen compounds can be sourced domestically in Japan, helping to optimize the domestic supply chain.

In terms of energy storage systems, SoftBank is collaborating with another South Korean startup, DeltaX, to develop large-capacity energy storage containers, integrating SoftBank's self-developed energy management technology. DeltaX's battery module technology can achieve over 5 megawatt-hours of energy storage capacity within a standard 20-foot container, placing it at the industry's leading edge.

Additionally, SoftBank plans to introduce power demand forecasting technology to intelligently regulate the charging and discharging cycles of batteries, better adapting to electricity load and renewable energy supply conditions. This battery business layout marks an important step for SoftBank to further increase its investment in AI infrastructure, covering areas such as data centers, servers, and power technology, to meet the growing demand for computing power.

Key Points:

🌟 SoftBank has launched a battery business in Japan, primarily targeting the power needs of AI data centers.

🔋 Development of new zinc-halogen cells, which will reduce fire risks and improve energy efficiency.

📈 Target: Achieve annual sales of more than 1 trillion yen in the battery business by 2030.