Taiwan Approves Third-Phase Expansion of Longtan Science Park for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC)'s "1.4nm and Below Advanced Processes"

[Financial News] Taiwanese authorities have approved the third-phase expansion plan for Longtan Science Park, which is intended to attract advanced processes of 1.4 nanometers (nm, one-billionth of a meter) or below from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), the world's largest foundry, or contract semiconductor manufacturer.
Taiwanese media, including United Daily News, reported on the 18th that the National Development Council (NDC) had announced the previous day that it approved the "Third-Phase Expansion of the Longtan Park of Hsinchu Science Park" plan submitted by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC).
The NDC said the plan, which involves a total investment of NT$95.628 billion (approximately 4.1 trillion won), will be reported to the Executive Yuan, Taiwan's cabinet, before a final decision is made. It also explained that the site had been reduced from the originally planned 158.59 hectares (1 hectare equals 10,000 square meters) to 104.19 hectares.
The plan calls for environmental assessments and other procedures to be completed by 2028, with plant construction scheduled to begin in 2030.
As TSMC shifts the center of its advanced packaging production to Chiayi and the Southern Taiwan Science Park, the Longtan Science Park is being discussed as a possible site for angstrom-scale advanced processes at A14 (1.4nm) and below.
More than NT$1 trillion (approximately 43.5 trillion won) is expected to be invested initially to build three wafer plants. The first plant is scheduled for completion around 2030, when mass production is expected to begin.


Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng said Taiwan's "national guardian mountain" is scheduled to be established in Taoyuan. He added that the city government would ensure the smooth implementation of subsequent land acquisition and the supply of electricity and water.
The third-phase expansion plan for Longtan Science Park is a key part of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's campaign pledge, the "Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli Greater Silicon Valley Plan."
Once completed, the project is expected to generate NT$550 billion (approximately 23.9 trillion won) in induced production and create 4,500 jobs.
TSMC originally planned to build a semiconductor plant using a 1.4nm manufacturing process by 2026 and begin mass production in 2027. However, the plan was derailed in 2023 after facing strong opposition from Jaguhoe, a residents' committee-like group that opposed the land acquisition.
However, following the continued efforts of the Hsinchu Science Park Bureau and the Taoyuan city government, which oversees Longtan Science Park, as well as a shift in the position of local residents, TSMC decided last August to revive the plan after three years.
 


[email protected] Lee Seok-woo, International Affairs Correspondent Reporter