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TSMC has started its ‘green energy’ manufacturing initiative in earnest with the groundbreaking ceremony for its first LED lighting fab and R&D centre in Hsinchu Science Park at an initial first phase cost of US$175 million. TSMC said that equipment tool install was scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2010 with volume production in the first quarter of 2011. The second phase of the capacity expansion would be decided later on market demand criteria, the company said.

"To further strengthen long-term growth in TSMC's revenues and profits, we not only continue to pursue excellence in the field of dedicated IC foundry, we are also developing new businesses such as LED lighting and solar power," said TSMC Chairman and CEO Dr. Morris Chang. "With the leadership of President Dr. Rick Tsai and the hard work of all the colleagues involved, the strategy, goals, and execution of our new businesses have developed very successfully in the past several months. The groundbreaking for our LED lighting R&D centre and fab is an excellent example, and I look forward to even more progress once construction is complete."   

"We will enter the market next year by offering LED light sources and light engines to pursue the broad business opportunities of the LED lighting industry,” noted Dr. Rick Tsai, TSMC President of New Businesses.                                                                                        

TSMC has plans to further preliminary inroads, via collaborations in the solar industry, but has yet to announce any internal manufacturing plans.