TSMC Planning 2-nm Plant in Longtan? 台積電2奈米以下製程 傳落腳龍潭園區

In December, TSMC will hold a ceremony to mark the transfer of its first piece of manufacturing equipment to its new US$12 billion, 12-inch wafer foundry in Arizona. Close to 300 TSMC executives, including TSMC Chair Mark Liu, will attend the ceremony along with U.S. President Joe Biden. In other news, Hsinchu Science Park is refuting rumors of a new TSMC 2-nanometer chip plant at Longtan Science Park.

Hsinchu Science Park is refuting reports of a new TSMC 2-nanometer chip plant at Longtan Science Park, saying the park has no space to lease at present time but it is happy to work with manufacturers to meet their industrial development needs. TSMC, meanwhile, says its advanced manufacturing operations will continue to be based in Taiwan and it will announce new projects at the proper time.

Cheng Yun-peng, Taoyuan City Mayor Candidate (DPP): “A new TSMC plant in Taoyuan would be huge for the city.”

Simon Chang, Taoyuan City Mayor Candidate (KMT): “If this were to happen, it'd be far, far down the line. There's no point in discussing this now or to use it as an election talking point. I think everyone can see what's really going on here.”

According to an industry insider, issues that have to be dealt with during Longtan Science Park's third phase of expansion include the expropriation of private homes and property, as well as water and electricity supply. If TSMC decides to build a new plant in Longtan, it would take years and require political intervention to fast-track. TSMC is currently building a new US$12 billion, 12-inch wafer foundry in Arizona. The company will hold a ceremony to mark the transfer of its first piece of manufacturing equipment to the plant in December. Close to 300 TSMC executives, led by TSMC Chair Mark Liu, will attend the ceremony along with U.S. President Joe Biden. There are also reports that a major customer recently canceled a 3-nanometer order. TSMC has already reduced its capital expenditure twice.

Chen Hui-ming, Partner, Cornucopia Capital: “This will probably have a positive impact on TSMC's bottom line, but a negative impact on its share price.”

Liu Pei-chen, Chief Executive, Taiwan Industry Economic Services: “Supply will exceed demand in the semiconductor industry next year, so the annual growth rate may fall to single digits.”

Experts are predicting stagnant semiconductor sales ahead and say the industry will have to get rid of existing inventory before it can rebound.

台積電傳出，2奈米以下製程，將落腳在新竹科學園區轄下的桃園龍潭園區。不過，竹科管理局回應，龍潭園區已經沒有可以提供出租土地，如果廠商有產業發展需求，會協助辦理。而台積電則回應，會持續在台灣投資先進製程，一切以公司對外公告為主。

民進黨桃園市長候選人鄭運鵬認為：「台積電也有訊息說他要落腳桃園，這個就是對桃園來說，是一個非常重大的訊息。」

國民黨桃園市長候選人張善政則批評：「將來真的要落腳是多少年以後的事情，在選舉的時候講這個事情，他的用心是什麼，大家想一想就知道了。」

有知情科技業人士透露，龍科擴大3期，還有包括徵收民宅、民地，以及水電供應等問題。如果台積電想落腳龍科，恐怕要好幾年，必須透過政治力介入才會快。除此之外，台積電還斥資超過120億美元，到美國亞利桑那州設立12吋晶圓，將在12月上旬舉行首部機台移機典禮。台積電董事長劉德音將率領近300位高層前往，美國總統拜登也會參加。只是，半導體景氣下行，傳出有3奈米製程大客戶，臨時取消台積電的訂單，也讓二度下修資本支出的台積電雪上加霜。

聚芯資本合夥人陳慧明分析：「對台積電的獲利應該都還是一個正面的影響，但是對股價會有一個負面影響。」

台經院產經資料庫總監劉佩真則認為：「明（2023）年在半導體業，確實會有面臨到供過於求的一些壓力。那麼所以在明年，國內半導體的產值年增率，恐怕會落入到這個個位數的水準。」

專家和學者預估，半導體產業有關銷售額表現，可能呈現持平或小幅衰退，除非庫存去化問題解決，才有望回升。