TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — TSMC President and CEO C.C. Wei (魏哲家) said on Friday that Taiwan’s biggest challenge is a shortage of talent, while also noting concerns over water supply, Reuters reported Friday.
Speaking at a ceremony for a new science park in Pingtung, Wei said he was relieved by the weather after recently worrying about water availability, per CNA. “Just last month, I was still wondering: What should we do about water? Should we start using water trucks?” he said.
Wei said President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), who attended the event, had outlined government plans to link reservoirs across the nation. He added that better water management could ease concerns over water, land, and power supply going forward.
Taiwan produces most of the advanced chips powering the AI boom, but the industry has long highlighted “five shortages” — water, electricity, land, labour and talent.
Reservoir levels in southern Taiwan typically fall during the dry season, although recent heavy rainfall has helped replenish supplies, per Reuters. Taiwan experienced severe water restrictions during its worst drought in 2021.
Wei reiterated that talent shortages remain the most urgent issue, calling for stronger efforts to train workers and retain talent, particularly in rural areas such as Pingtung County. He added that semiconductors have become “inseparable” from everyday life and that demand will continue to grow.
