TSMC taps wind power as AI chip demand soars, Taiwan feels energy crunch

As AI chip demand drives record energy consumption, TSMC turns to wind power to ease Taiwan's growing electricity crunch. | Contesto: cronaca

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• TSMC taps wind power as AI chip demand soars, Taiwan feels energy crunch

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TAIPEI — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world’s leading chipmaker, is ramping up its reliance on wind power as surging demand for artificial intelligence processors pushes energy consumption to unprecedented levels. The move underscores the mounting pressure on Taiwan’s electricity grid, already strained by a global semiconductor boom and the island’s commitment to phasing out nuclear energy. TSMC, which produces chips for major clients including Apple and Nvidia, has become one of Taiwan’s largest electricity consumers. With AI chip manufacturing requiring far more energy than traditional semiconductors, the company’s power needs have skyrocketed. In response, TSMC has signed long-term contracts to purchase electricity from offshore wind farms, aiming to secure a stable and cleaner energy supply for its advanced fabrication plants. The shift comes as Taiwan grapples with an energy crunch. The island has set ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming for 20% of its electricity to come from renewables by 2025, but progress has been slow due to regulatory hurdles and public opposition to new wind projects. Meanwhile, the government’s decision to phase out nuclear power by 2025 has left a gap that natural gas and coal have only partially filled, raising concerns about grid reliability and carbon emissions. For TSMC, the stakes are particularly high. The company’s manufacturing processes are among the most energy-intensive in the industry, and any disruption to power supply could halt production of the advanced chips that power everything from smartphones to military hardware. By locking in wind power, TSMC is not only hedging against future energy price volatility but also signaling its commitment to corporate sustainability goals, which include using 100% renewable energy by 2050. Industry analysts note that TSMC’s pivot to wind energy could serve as a bellwether for other manufacturers in Taiwan. If the company succeeds in scaling up its renewable energy usage, it may encourage more industrial players to follow suit, potentially accelerating the island’s green transition. However, the high cost of offshore wind development and the intermittent...

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Categoria: cronaca