HSINCHU – At 8:30 am on June 6, Greenpeace East Asia representatives gathered outside of TSMC’s annual shareholder meeting to call on the chipmaker to increase its use of renewable energy. The representatives set up a booth with a large sign that read “TIME TO CHIP IN” and distributed information about TSMC’s climate performance to attendees of the meeting.

Greenpeace East Asia Climate and Energy Project Manager Yung Jen Chen said:

“It’s time for TSMC to ramp up its use of renewable energy in line with global standards. Despite TSMC’s existing climate commitments, the company’s emissions continue to rise. TSMC needs to prioritize renewable energy investment and set a clear target to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. Key clients like Apple are increasingly targeting 100 percent renewable energy across their supply chains, including semiconductor manufacturing. Adopting renewable energy isn’t just a climate imperative – it’s a business necessity.”

Greenpeace calls on TSMC to formulate a more aggressive renewable energy development strategy, which would prioritize self-generation in addition to investment in off-site renewable energy projects, and to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030.

“TSMC is not only a key driver of GDP growth in Taiwan, but is also the single most important player when it comes to realizing Taiwan’s net zero commitment. To overcome the shortage of renewable energy in Taiwan’s electricity market, TSMC must transform from a renewable energy consumer to a prosumer. We hope to see TSMC lead Taiwan’s net zero transition,” said Chen.

Background

In 2021, TSMC’s renewable energy use ratio was just 9%, far behind the chipmaker’s rivals Intel (82%) and Samsung Electronics (21%), according to an October 2022 report by Greenpeace East Asia and US NGO Stand.earth

In April, another Greenpeace East Asia report found that TSMC’s electricity consumption is on track to increase 267% by 2030. By 2030, TSMC is forecast to consume as much electricity as 5.8 million people, or roughly one fourth of Taiwan’s population, the report found.

Media Contacts

Jimmy Chen, Communications Officer, Greenpeace East Asia, Taipei, +886 988 035 817, [email protected]

Erin Newport, International Communications Officer, Greenpeace East Asia +886 958 026 791, [email protected]