TSMC Initiates Construction of Third 2nm Plant in Kaohsiung

TSMC is advancing its expansion in Kaohsiung with the construction of its first 2nm facility, the initiation of a second, and plans for a third. On June 24, the Kaohsiung Urban Planning Committee approved the rezoning of 17.22 hectares of land for the third 2nm plant, converting it to a Class A industrial zone. Following successful environmental assessments and soil pollution controls, TSMC will proceed with construction permit applications for the third facility.

The Kaohsiung City Government announced that the rezoning approval is a crucial milestone for the P3 plant. However, TSMC must complete environmental assessments and soil pollution clearance before the urban plan can be officially announced and implemented. Once these steps are completed, TSMC can apply for construction permits from the city government.

Deputy Mayor Lin Chin-jung emphasized that the city government is following the Executive Yuan’s April 2021 policy on advancing Taiwan's semiconductor research and talent development amidst the US-China tech conflict. This initiative involves transforming 175.3 hectares of the CPC Kaohsiung refinery into a core hub for semiconductor materials R&D. In collaboration with the central government, efforts are underway to establish the third Kaohsiung Park within the Southern Taiwan Science Park (Nanzi Park), focusing on circular technology, material research, and advanced semiconductor industries.

Nanzi Park is responding to global semiconductor supply chain changes by developing the park in phases. TSMC obtained a construction permit for the first phase of their advanced 2nm manufacturing facility in September 2022, with mass production expected by 2025. The second phase has already begun.

To address the ongoing global semiconductor supply chain demands, TSMC is expediting its expansion efforts. The company is moving forward with the urban planning change process for the third phase on the east side of the first phase park, covering 17.22 hectares. Deputy Mayor Lin noted that to align the industrial use with land content, the zoning is being changed from a special industrial zone to a Class A industrial zone, with the building coverage ratio adjusted to 45% while maintaining the original floor area ratio of 160%.

The third facility will integrate with the city’s recreational and ecological planning, combining with Banping Mountain and the semiconductor industrial park to create green corridors and eco-friendly spaces. This initiative is expected to generate around 1,000 jobs, with the entire Nanzi Park projected to employ approximately 4,500 people, enhancing the advanced semiconductor manufacturing cluster and promoting industrial synergy.