TSMC secures land for two 1.4nm fabs after locals reverse opposition

TSMC Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited ↘ 1.20% has revived its long-stalled plan to build 1.4-nanometer fabrication plants at the Longtan Science Park in Taoyuan, Taiwan, after local landowners reversed their opposition to the project, driven by economic incentives they observed in other regions that benefited from the chipmaker's investments.

A Reversal Years in the Making

The Phase 3 expansion of the Longtan Science Park was shelved in October 2023 after residents holding approximately 88 percent of the privately owned land targeted for acquisition organized protests against displacement and environmental disruption. TSMC subsequently redirected capital toward southern Taiwan, expanding in Tainan and Kaohsiung.semiwiki+2

As those regions reaped windfalls in jobs, infrastructure, and property values, Longtan landowners petitioned local authorities to reconsider. The Hsinchu Science Park Bureau and Taoyuan City Government adjusted the proposed development zone from a previously scaled-back 89.63 hectares back up to 104.19 hectares, allocating roughly 46 hectares for high-tech industrial use. The bureau submitted a proposal for the third phase to the National Science and Technology Council earlier this year.aninews+4

What Gets Built

According to Taiwan's Liberty Times, as reported by TrendForce, the revitalized site is slated to host two 1.4nm fabrication plants and one panel-level packaging facility. The expansion sits within what has been described as a $49 billion sub-2nm capital expenditure strategy. Pilot production for the 1.4nm process is projected to begin around late 2027 or 2028.taiwannews+2

Apple ↘ 0.80% is expected to be among the first major customers, leveraging the facilities for future processors.wccftech

Broader Context

The Longtan revival comes as TSMC accelerates domestic expansion, with reports earlier this year indicating up to 10 fabs under construction or starting in 2026. The company is also reportedly in discussions to acquire display maker AUO's fabs near its Central Taiwan Science Park facilities for advanced packaging capacity. Land acquisition at Longtan is expected to be completed by late 2029, with public infrastructure construction beginning in 2030.trendforce+2