TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s industrial electricity signal stayed “hot red” in April as AI-driven demand lifted semiconductor and information and communications technology production, the Taiwan Research Institute said Thursday.
The institute said demand for AI, high-performance computing, and cloud services continued to lift chip, server, and data center-related production, per CNA. The Middle East conflict pushed up oil and logistics costs, adding pressure to traditional industries.
Industrial electricity consumption grew, with high-voltage users rising 3.27% year-on-year in April, per UDN. Manufacturing electricity use increased 2.59%, while the service sector posted a 5.96% gain.
Semiconductor electricity consumption jumped 14.03% year-on-year, reflecting sustained AI-related demand, and the sector’s business signal remained in the “hot red” zone. Machinery and equipment usage also rose 3.89%, supported by semiconductor expansion and automation demand, though its signal stayed in the “yellow-blue” range.
Export-linked indicators reinforced the momentum, with manufacturing export orders rising 48.1% year-on-year in April. Machinery orders grew 23.4%, while electricity consumption trends broadly tracked order growth, pointing to steady industrial activity.
However, the institute said some traditional industries faced weaker demand. Chemical materials and steel saw declines due to oversupply pressure, while electronics and optical products growth slowed as export momentum eased.
Looking ahead, the institute said AI infrastructure investment and chip expansion will continue to support Taiwan’s economy, even as geopolitical tensions and energy price volatility weigh on some sectors.
