Exhibit
99.1

PowerBank
Analyzes Shifting Hyperscaler Energy Acquisition Strategies
Recent
Acquisitions by Google and Amazon Signal New Era of Direct Infrastructure Ownership as Data Center Power Demands Accelerate
TORONTO,
ONTARIO, January 28, 2026 – PowerBank Corporation (NASDAQ: SUUN; Cboe CA: SUNN, FSE: 103) (“PowerBank” or
the “Company”), a North American renewable energy company focused on solar energy infrastructure, battery energy storage
systems (BESS), with an intention to move into advanced data center solutions, today provides analysis on significant shifts in how major
technology companies are securing power infrastructure to meet rapidly growing data center and artificial intelligence computing demands.
Over
the past month, three of the world’s largest technology companies—Google, Amazon, and Meta—have announced major clean
energy transactions representing distinctly different approaches to securing power supply. These developments underscore an accelerating
transition in which hyperscalers are moving beyond traditional power purchase agreements (PPAs) to take direct ownership of generation
assets and development portfolios, reflecting the urgency of meeting unprecedented energy requirements driven by artificial intelligence
infrastructure expansion.
“The
evolution we’re observing represents a fundamental restructuring of how digital infrastructure companies approach energy supply,”
said Dr. Richard Lu, CEO of PowerBank Corporation. “When hyperscalers transition from purchasing power through conventional PPAs
to acquiring operating companies and development portfolios outright, it signals that traditional utility timelines and capacity allocation
mechanisms are no longer adequate to meet the scale and speed of their requirements. This creates both challenges and opportunities for
independent power producers like PowerBank that can deliver solar and battery storage projects capable of supporting 24/7 data center
operations.”
Implications
for Independent Power Producers
The
emergence of such large-scale and varied transactions creates multiple pathways for independent renewable energy companies to engage
with hyperscaler demand. Companies with substantial development pipelines and operational expertise may become acquisition targets, while
those with shovel-ready projects or operating assets may find opportunities for portfolio sales. Traditional PPA relationships remain
viable, particularly for companies that prioritize capital efficiency and development velocity over long-term asset ownership.
PowerBank’s
strategic positioning addresses multiple elements of this evolving market landscape:
| ● | Development
pipeline of over one gigawatt across key North American markets |
| ● | Proven
track record of delivering over 100 megawatts of operational renewable energy projects, demonstrating
execution capability |
| ● | Expertise
in battery energy storage systems (BESS) integration, critical for addressing the 24/7 power
requirements of data center operations |
| ● | Experience
across distributed solar, community solar, and utility-scale projects, providing flexibility
in transaction structure and deployment model |
| ● | Planned
expansion into advanced data center power solutions, including space-based computing infrastructure
through the company’s collaboration with Orbit AI |
Market
Outlook and Growth Trajectory
The
aggregate capital commitment represented by these three transactions—exceeding $4 billion in announced value1,2—illustrates
the magnitude of investment flowing into renewable energy infrastructure to support digital economy growth. Industry projections indicate
that data center power consumption in the United States alone could increase by 160% by 20303, driven primarily by artificial
intelligence and machine learning workloads that require substantially more computational resources than traditional applications.
This
demand trajectory is compounded by corporate sustainability commitments. Major technology companies have established aggressive carbon
neutrality targets, typically seeking to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030 or earlier. Meeting these commitments while simultaneously
expanding data center capacity creates an imperative for renewable energy deployment at unprecedented scale and velocity.
PowerBank
expects these market dynamics to accelerate consolidation activity within the renewable energy sector, as hyperscalers seek to acquire
both operating assets and development capabilities. The company views its diversified portfolio structure, technical expertise in solar-plus-storage
systems, and strategic focus on data center power solutions as differentiating factors in this evolving competitive landscape.
“What
we’re observing is not simply an increase in renewable energy procurement—it’s a structural transformation in how critical
digital infrastructure secures its power supply,” Dr. Lu concluded. “PowerBank has positioned itself to participate across
multiple transaction models, whether through traditional PPAs, project portfolio sales, or strategic partnerships. Our focus remains
on delivering reliable, carbon-free energy solutions that enable the next generation of computing infrastructure while advancing the
transition to sustainable energy systems.”
At
this time PowerBank elected not to make an investment in Orbit AI and the terms of any remuneration for services PowerBank may provide
Orbit AI have not yet been determined. PowerBank does not presently have any contracts with hyperscalers for power supply, sale of assets
or a corporate transaction.
About
PowerBank Corporation
PowerBank
Corporation is an independent renewable and clean energy project developer and owner focusing on distributed and community solar projects
in Canada and the USA. The Company develops solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects that sell electricity to utilities,
commercial, industrial, municipal and residential off-takers. The Company maximizes returns via a diverse portfolio of projects across
multiple leading North America markets including projects with utilities, host off-takers, community solar, and virtual net metering
projects. The Company has a potential development pipeline of over one gigawatt and has developed renewable and clean energy projects
with a combined capacity of over 100 megawatts built.
To
learn more about PowerBank, please visit www.powerbankcorp.com.
Notes
[1]:
Alphabet Investor Relations - Alphabet Announces Agreement to Acquire Intersect to Advance U.S. Energy Innovation
[2]:
Amazon is acquiring one of the world’s biggest solar-storage projects | Latitude Media
[3]:
AI is poised to drive 160% increase in data center power demand | Goldman Sachs
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This
news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation
(collectively, “forward-looking statements”) that relate to the Company’s current expectations and views of future
events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or
future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as “will likely result”,
“are expected to”, “expects”, “will continue”, “is anticipated”, “anticipates”,
“believes”, “estimated”, “intends”, “plans”, “forecast”, ”projection”,
“strategy”, “objective” and “outlook”) are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements
and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from
those expressed in such forward-looking statements. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking
statements pertaining to the Company’s expectations regarding industry trends and overall market growth; intentions of hyperscalers
and large technology companies regarding power needs, contracts or acquisitions; the details of the collaboration with Orbit AI and its
expected benefits; the Company’s contributions towards the collaboration with Orbit AI; the timelines for Orbit AI’s operations
the Company’s growth strategies, and the size of the Company’s development pipeline. No assurance can be given that
these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly
relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release.
Forward-looking
statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of the experience and perception of historical
trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate, and are subject to risks and
uncertainties. In making the forward looking statements included in this news release, the Company has made various material assumptions,
including but not limited to: t ; Orbit AI and the Company are able to agree on commercial terms for the announced collaboration; obtaining
the necessary regulatory approvals; that regulatory requirements will be maintained; general business and economic conditions; the Company’s
ability to successfully execute its plans and intentions; the availability of financing on reasonable terms; the Company’s ability
to attract and retain skilled staff; market competition; the products and services offered by the Company’s competitors; that the
Company’s current good relationships with its service providers and other third parties will be maintained; and government subsidies
and funding for renewable energy will continue as currently contemplated. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying
these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect, and the Company cannot assure that actual results will be consistent
with these forward-looking statements. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors should not place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements.
Whether
actual results, performance or achievements will conform to the Company’s expectations and predictions is subject to a number of
known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, including those listed under “Forward-Looking Statements”
and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recently completed Annual Information Form, and other public filings
of the Company, which include: Orbit AI is unable to raise sufficient financing to complete its launch of satellites on the timelines
proposed or at all; Orbit AI and the Company fail to agree on commercial terms for the announced collaboration; technical risks associated
with Orbit AI’s planned operations; the Company may be adversely affected by volatile solar power market and industry conditions;
the execution of the Company’s growth strategy depends upon the continued availability of third-party financing arrangements; the
Company’s future success depends partly on its ability to expand the pipeline of its energy business in several key markets; governments
may revise, reduce or eliminate incentives and policy support schemes for solar and battery storage power; general global economic conditions
may have an adverse impact on our operating performance and results of operations; the Company’s project development and construction
activities may not be successful; developing and operating solar Project exposes the Company to various risks; the Company faces a number
of risks involving Power Purchase Agreements (“PPAs”) and project-level financing arrangements; any changes to the laws,
regulations and policies that the Company is subject to may present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to the purchase and use
of solar power; the markets in which the Company competes are highly competitive and evolving quickly; an anti-circumvention investigation
could adversely affect the Company by potentially raising the prices of key supplies for the construction of solar power projects; foreign
exchange rate fluctuations; a change in the Company’s effective tax rate can have a significant adverse impact on its business;
seasonal variations in demand linked to construction cycles and weather conditions may influence the Company’s results of operations;
the Company may be unable to generate sufficient cash flows or have access to external financing; the Company may incur substantial additional
indebtedness in the future; the Company is subject to risks from supply chain issues; risks related to inflation and tariffs; unexpected
warranty expenses that may not be adequately covered by the Company’s insurance policies; if the Company is unable to attract and
retain key personnel, it may not be able to compete effectively in the renewable energy market; there are a limited number of purchasers
of utility-scale quantities of electricity; compliance with environmental laws and regulations can be expensive; corporate responsibility
may adversely impose additional costs; the future impact of any global pandemic on the Company is unknown at this time; the Company has
limited insurance coverage; the Company will be reliant on information technology systems and may be subject to damaging cyberattacks;
the Company may become subject to litigation; there is no guarantee on how the Company will use its available funds; the Company will
continue to sell securities for cash to fund operations, capital expansion, mergers and acquisitions that will dilute the current shareholders;
and future dilution as a result of financings.
The
Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the
Company to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors,
may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements
contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
For
further information, please contact:
PowerBank
Corporation
Tracy
Zheng
Email:
tracy.zheng@powerbankcorp.com
Phone:
416.494.9559
Source:
PowerBank Corporation