TSMC to Build Four 1.4nm Wafer Plants with $16 Billion Revenue Potential, Mass Production Set for H2 2028

Rumor Rating System

0-20%: Unlikely – Lacks credible sources 21-40%: Questionable – Some concerns remain 41-60%: Plausible – Reasonable evidence 61-80%: Probable – Strong evidence 81-100%: Highly Likely – Multiple reliable sources

Current Rumor Assessment

Assessment Score: 55% Status: Plausible

Source Credibility: 3/5 Corroboration Level: 3/5 Technical Insight: 2/5 Timeline Reliability: 3/5

The Future of TSMC at Central Taiwan Science Park The Central Taiwan Science Park is poised to become a pivotal hub, particularly with the impending construction of TSMC’s Phase II plant. Recent reports indicate TSMC is gearing up to establish four facilities for the production of cutting-edge 1.4nm chips. Although mass production is not anticipated until late 2028, this initiative is set to foster significant job creation and advance semiconductor technology. Projected Job Creation and Economic Impact According to a recent report from Commercial Times, TSMC is preparing to invest around NT$1.5 trillion (approximately $49 billion) in these four plants. Once fully operational, these facilities are expected to generate between 8, 000 and 10, 000 new jobs, which will positively impact the local economy. Production Timeline and Financial Estimates Initial risk production is slated for the end of 2027, paving the way for full-scale operations in the second half of 2028. The investment in this project, while staggering, is projected to yield an estimated revenue of over NT$500 billion (about $16.26 billion) from just one facility, potentially reaching an impressive $65.04 billion annually if all units maximize output. The Costs of 1.4nm Production However, the financial implications for TSMC’s clients could be significant; it has been reported that each 1.4nm wafer could cost upwards of $45, 000. Interestingly, TSMC plans to forego the acquisition of ASML’s next-gen High-NA EUV equipment, which comes with a price tag of $400 million per machine. Instead, the company intends to rely on photomask pellicles to enhance production yields. Apple: The Likely First Client Current insights suggest that Apple may become TSMC’s inaugural customer for these new chips. Previous analyses noted that NVIDIA is currently the sole client for TSMC’s A16, or 1.6nm process. Given Apple’s already established relationship and ongoing discussions regarding the supply chain, it’s plausible that they may pre-order from this substantial investment, particularly since they’ve reportedly secured a significant portion of the initial 2nm wafer supply. For further details, refer to the original article on Commercial Times. For additional insights and images, visit Wccftech.