Part 1/12:
The Water Challenge of Semiconductor Manufacturing: TSMC’s Arizona Expansion
Semiconductor manufacturing is undeniably water-intensive, and as TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) expands its operations into Arizona, questions surrounding water usage have taken center stage. Right now, TSMC’s Arizona Fab 21 Phase 1 consumes about 18,000 cubic meters of water daily—equivalent to roughly 4.75 million gallons. With two additional phases planned, concerns about the sustainability of such water consumption in a desert environment are justified. Yet, the narrative is more nuanced than simply labeling these fabs as water hogs threatening local water resources.