# SoftBank’s turbine deposits lose value as AI power demand grows slowly

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/softbanks-billion-dollar-loss-may-have-put-a-cap-on-ais-natural-gas-ambitions/
- Published: 2026-11-12T17:00:52+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T17:26:19+00:00
- Original publisher: TechCrunch
- Original article: https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/12/softbanks-billion-dollar-loss-may-have-put-a-cap-on-ais-natural-gas-ambitions/
- Topics: AI, Business, Markets, Technology

## Key points

- SoftBank’s turbine reservations contributed to a $7.1 billion quarterly loss.
- It had deposits on over 13 gigawatts of turbines, nearly 50% more than needed.
- Grid power and batteries may slow demand for gas plants.

## Summary

SoftBank’s large bet on natural gas equipment for AI data centres has lost value as demand for turbines and gas power projects has grown more slowly than it expected. The company’s decision to reserve far more turbines than it needed helped secure equipment during a supply crunch, but has now contributed to a major quarterly loss.

SoftBank reported a $7.1 billion quarterly loss, with more than half linked to power-generation equipment and over $3 billion attributed to its turbine bet. It had paid non-refundable deposits on more than 13 gigawatts of turbines, nearly 50% above its requirements. Some data-centre operators may instead rely on smaller grid connections and batteries, though the article says AI’s overall power demand remains high and SoftBank’s losses are unlikely to trigger widespread cancellations of gas projects.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.