SoftBank suffers over $3 billion in losses from natural gas equipment, AI data center expansion relying on gas power may be constrained

SoftBank suffers over $3 billion in losses from natural gas equipment, AI data center expansion relying on gas power may be constrained

2026-11-12 17:04View Original

On November 12, 2026 (Beijing Time), it was reported that SoftBank incurred losses exceeding $3 billion due to pre-ordered natural gas turbines for AI data center power supply, recording a $7.1 billion loss in the quarter, over half of which stemmed from power generation equipment. Approximately two years ago, to secure project timelines, SoftBank paid non-refundable deposits to turbine manufacturers for over 13 gigawatts of equipment—nearly 50% more than actual demand.

Current natural gas turbine orders are now scheduled through the early 2030s. As data center operators reassess power requirements, grid integration paired with large-scale battery energy storage may emerge as an alternative solution; however, the continuously rising electricity demands of AI data centers could still support sustained growth in the natural gas market.

Disclaimer: Contains third-party opinions, does not constitute financial advice

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