Michael Lesniak Explores Taiwan's $13 Billion Semiconductor Water Investment with Smart Water Magazine

In a recent in-depth feature for Smart Water Magazine, Michael Lesniak, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Net Zero Water, discussed the multifaceted strategies the Taiwan Republic of China employs to safeguard its semiconductor industry against climate change impacts.  

Lesniak shared his insights on how the island is closing the “water financing gap,” to future-proof the water-intensive semiconductor industry by initiating a $13 billion investment in local water reuse, desalination, and pipelines. This investment is crucial in fueling the explosive growth in semiconductor production, which is essential for advancing AI and ML technologies that are increasingly depleting freshwater supplies worldwide, affecting countries like China, South Korea, India, the US, Germany, and Singapore. 

Lesniak also emphasizes the urgency of this investment by highlighting the public and government's recognition of the need to increase water infrastructure to maintain dominance in the global microelectronics market and ensure independence. This underscores water's critical importance as a life-sustaining resource, driving Taiwan's commitment to reusing and recycling water. 

Click here or download the PDF to read the full article, where he elaborates on Taiwan's strategic vision, revealing plans to expand semiconductor fabrication facilities (fabs) nationwide and produce smaller chips, thereby necessitating increased water usage.