Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) cleared the first stage of an environmental impact assessment for its planned fourth and fifth wafer fabs in Kaohsiung, the city’s Environmental Protection Bureau said yesterday.
TSMC’s environmental impact plan regarding expanding its production site in Nanzih District (楠梓) passed during a public review yesterday morning, the bureau said in a statement.
TSMC began equipment installation at its first fab in Kaohsiung, a 2-nanometer plant known as P1, late last year. The P2 and P3 fabs are under construction.
Photo: CNA
The new facilities — P4 and P5 — would be built next to P3 and construction is expected to be completed in 2027 — as long as government approval is obtained.
During yesterday’s review, civic and environmental groups raised concerns regarding the effect of the planned facilities on Kaohsiung’s carbon reduction, green energy and water usage targets, the bureau said.
TSMC promised to power 60 percent of its Kaohsiung operations from renewable energy sources by 2030 and 100 percent by 2040, the bureau said.
Meanwhile, the city government plans to build a plant for recycling water for industrial use, helping TSMC facilities meet their goal of manufacturing chips with 100 percent recycled water, the bureau added.
TSMC also agreed to the city government’s proposal to build solar power facilities for local residents to help reduce their electricity bills, the statement said.
The chipmaker also plans to implement air pollution monitoring, it added.
The bureau said it would soon hold the final public review to complete the environmental impact assessment for the P4 and P5 facilities, which still require development, construction and other permits before the expansion can proceed.
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