SoftBank is converting a Sharp LCD factory into a battery plant for AI data centres. The data centres cannot wait five years.

Summary: SoftBank Corp. plans to convert part of the former Sharp LCD factory in Sakai, Osaka into one of Japan’s largest battery production lines for AI data centres, with production expected within five years (~2031). The move completes a vertical integration stack spanning chips (Arm, Graphcore, Ampere), modular data centre manufacturing (Lordstown), energy generation (SB Energy, 3+ GW solar), and now energy storage. SoftBank carries ~$135 billion in total debt with an S&P negative outlook, and its Stargate AI infrastructure commitments will require the batteries long before the factory is operational.

The building in Sakai, Osaka, used to make LCD panels for Sharp television sets. SoftBank bought it last year for 100 billion yen, roughly $676 million, and announced it would become an AI data centre. Now it will also become a battery factory. Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that SoftBank Corp., the group’s mobile subsidiary, plans to convert ...