Taiwan chip makers’ water supplies cut as drought threatens island’s reserves
- Authorities cut supply to companies in two major science parks by 15 per cent, with reservoirs in several parts of central Taiwan dangerously low
- Dry spell pressures government to ensure supply to water-intensive industries such as the island’s world-leading semiconductor manufacturing
The government issued its first red alert on water supply in six years on Wednesday, warning that reservoirs in several parts of central Taiwan were running dangerously low. Authorities will cut the water supply to companies in two major science parks in Taichung by 15 per cent, Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua said at a briefing in Taipei.
Water will also be cut to non-industrial users across Taichung and Miaoli County two days a week, Wang said. The measures will come into effect from April 6.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Micron Technology both have chip-making operations in Taichung, although Wang said the restrictions would not affect their production. TSMC’s headquarters further north in Hsinchu has been spared further restrictions for now.
TSMC plans to increase the amount of water it uses from tanker trucks but the new restrictions will not affect operations, according to an emailed statement. A Micron representative in Taiwan declined to comment, saying the company was in a quiet period.