Jakarta, INTI - The rapid surge of artificial intelligence (AI), which initially triggered a global memory shortage, is now extending its impact to other critical components.
Beyond memory, the AI boom is increasingly putting pressure on data center battery supply. This trend is reflected in the sharp rise in demand for backup batteries from Panasonic.
According to the Japanese company, the growing demand is largely driven by the expansion of AI infrastructure, which requires stable and continuous power to support intensive computing workloads.
Panasonic revealed that around 80% of its planned production output has already been allocated to existing clients, leaving only about 20% available for new customers. This limited supply highlights the tightening market conditions for essential data center components.
Panasonic’s batteries are designed to be installed within server racks, providing temporary backup power to ensure systems remain operational during outages or disruptions. Although traditionally considered a supporting component, these batteries have now become critical in AI-driven data centers, where even brief downtime can result in significant financial losses and operational disruptions.
Scaling Up Production to Meet Demand
To address the surge in demand, Panasonic plans to significantly expand its lithium-ion battery production in Japan, targeting up to a threefold increase. The company is also repurposing its automotive production lines to support the assembly of data center batteries.
In addition, Panasonic is evaluating whether its facility in Kansas can contribute to further production capacity.
Beyond batteries, the company is developing supercapacitors as an alternative backup solution. Unlike conventional capacitors that discharge energy instantly, supercapacitors can store larger amounts of energy and release it more gradually.
These components are expected to help manage power load fluctuations in data centers and are projected to begin shipping in fiscal year 2027.
Driven by the surge in demand, Panasonic estimates that its data center-related battery business could generate up to 800 billion yen (approximately IDR 86 trillion) in revenue by 2029, assuming continued growth in AI infrastructure.
However, the company acknowledges that achieving this target will depend heavily on its ability to scale production capacity amid ongoing supply chain constraints.
Conclusion
The rapid expansion of AI is reshaping not only software and computing capabilities but also the demand for critical hardware components such as data center batteries. As power stability becomes essential for AI operations, companies like Panasonic are racing to scale production and innovate new solutions. Moving forward, the ability to secure reliable energy infrastructure will be a key factor in sustaining the growth of the global AI ecosystem.
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