Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua says the government will ensure the current water shortage does not impact production of semiconductors. Her words on Friday come after a number of foreign media outlets voiced concerns that the ongoing drought might affect global semiconductor supply.
Taiwan is home to TSMC, the world’s largest semiconductor chip foundry. Semiconductors are an essential component in virtually all modern electronic devices. And making them is an extremely water-intensive process. In 2019, TSMC used over 150,000 metric tons of water per day.
Wang says that the key industrial regions of Hsinchu and Taichung already have water conservation measures in place. She says Taiwanese industry should have enough water until the end of May. Between now and then, the economics ministry says it will take further steps to guarantee supply, depending on rainfall and weather conditions.
Taiwan is currently facing a shortage in its national water supply. That’s partly down to the fact that last year, no typhoons passed over Taiwan’s main island for the first time in 56 years. Typhoons bring heavy rainfall that is essential for the country’s water security.