Key facts
- Panasonic plans to start mass production of battery cells for data centers in Kansas, USA, by fiscal year 2028 (ending March 2029).
- The company will allocate about 350 billion yen of its previously announced 500 billion yen AI infrastructure investment to its Energy unit for this initiative.
- Panasonic Energy also plans to build a third plant in Mexico, with mass production scheduled for fiscal year 2028.
- Panasonic Energy aims for a minimum commitment of 950 billion yen in sales for data center-related energy storage systems in fiscal year 2028, with a goal to exceed 1 trillion yen.
Panasonic Holdings announced plans to begin mass production of battery cells specifically for data center applications at a new plant in Kansas, USA, by the fiscal year 2028, which concludes in March 2029. This initiative is part of a broader investment strategy aimed at bolstering AI infrastructure.
The company intends to allocate approximately 350 billion yen (about $2.18 billion) from its previously announced 500 billion yen investment in AI infrastructure for fiscal years 2026-2028 towards its Energy unit. This unit, which is a supplier to Tesla, will receive the majority of the AI infrastructure funds, with an additional 150 billion yen designated for its Industry segment.
In parallel, Panasonic Energy is also planning to establish a third manufacturing plant in Mexico, with mass production slated to commence in fiscal year 2028. Panasonic Energy CEO Kazuo Tadanobu stated that the unit's sales target of 950 billion yen for data center-related energy storage systems in fiscal year 2028 represents a "minimum commitment," and the business aims to achieve sales exceeding 1 trillion yen.