TSMC has been working on launching its 3nm process technology sometime next year, with risk production of the node already being underway. But now, a new report has suggested that the company might already have plans to shrink its process node even further.
According to a WccFTech report, the world’s largest contract chipmaker is seeking to build a second 2nm production facility on a gold course next to the Zhonke Park in Taichung, Taiwan. Apparently, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s CEO, C.C. Wei paid a surprise visit to the Taichung city government last week. The mayor of Taichung, Shiow-Yen Lu, stated that the cost to set up this new 2nm fab might be a staggering 1 trillion New Taiwan Dollars (roughly 36 billion US Dollars).
Another major hurdle is that city officials are concerned about the environmental impacts of this facility. On the other hand, the production site would also create a number of new jobs and bring an inflow of money to the region as well, helping in its development. Thus, the mayor suggested that the chipmaker use renewable energy for the electricity requirements of this plant.
Since mass production through its 3nm process is expected to start in the second half of 2022, the production of the 2nm process would possibly be in 2025. With the smaller process node, the number of transistors inside the chip can be raised again, making it more energy efficient as well. However, it is still too early to tell if the plans to build the 2nm production site will actually go through, so stay tuned for more updates.
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