The National Science and Technology Council has carried out its phase three expansion project in the Longtan (龍潭) section of Hsinchu Science Park (新竹科學園區). The main aim was for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) to build its new advanced fab there. More than 100 hectares would have been expropriated for TSMC and a lot of people who have lived in Longtan for generations were to be affected.
For months, residents complained about the project and protested against it.
Eventually, TSMC said that after thorough consideration, it would not build a fab in Longtan.
The decision came as quite a surprise.
TSMC, also known as Taiwan’s “silicon shield,” has led the world’s semiconductor industry for years. It is believed that Taiwan’s economy is directly linked to how well TSMC does: If it performs well, Taiwan should do well and vice versa.
As soon as TSMC announced its withdrawal from the Longtan plan, officials in Kaohsiung, Taichung, Chiayi County and Tainan immediately said that the company was more than welcome to set up a fab in their localities.
The problem with TSMC fabs is that they require a lot of electricity and water.
In the past few years, Tainan has had to deal with water shortages. Its reservoirs are full now because typhoons have brought a lot of rain to the region, but if TSMC built a fab in Tainan, it would likely have to deal with a water shortage sooner rather than later.
Chiayi County and Kaohsiung have the same issue, as they, too, do not have abundant water resources.
On the other hand, Yilan County is more suitable. The county records more than 200 rainy days per year on average, so a fab there would not have to worry about reservoir levels.
Electricity supply issues could be solved by setting up more substations.
As for earthquakes in eastern Taiwan, that issue could be accounted for with today’s technology.
Hsinchu Science Park’s Yilan section next to the Yilan Sports Park has been operating for more than 10 years, but less than 50 percent of the land is leased.
Moreover, areas including Hungchailin (紅柴林) in Sansing Township (三星), Dingpu (頂埔) in Toucheng Township (頭城) and Hsinnan (新南) in Jhuangwei Township (壯圍) could provide TSMC with hundreds of hectares of land.
Is there a more suitable place for TSMC than Yilan County?
Once the high-speed rail extension to Yilan is completed, travel to the county would become even more convenient.
The Yilan County Government should work hard to attract more enterprises and seek further investment so that TSMC would not have problems if it decides to build a fab in Yilan.
With more talent coming in, more job opportunities would be created. Yilan should seize this chance to develop and stimulate its economy.
TSMC is more than welcome to set up a fab in Yilan.
Dino Wei is an information engineer living in Yilan County.
Translated by Emma Liu
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