Four Years Until First Mass Production at Honam Semiconductor Cluster... Securing Power and Water Remains a Challenge

"Preparing for Extreme Droughts and an Unstable Power Supply" Emphasized
Proposal to Establish a Region-Led Consultation Framework

Concerns were raised that power and water infrastructure must be secured on time to meet the Honam Semiconductor Cluster's target of beginning mass production in 2030, and that preparations must be made for extreme droughts and an unstable power supply. Participants also said a regional consultation framework is needed to involve local companies in the supply chain and secure public acceptance.

On November 12, the Standing Special Committee on Supporting the Development of the Semiconductor Cluster and the AI Semiconductor Environment Committee of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Council held a policy forum in the main conference room of its Gwangju office on the topic of "Strategies for Timely Development of Key Infrastructure for the Honam Semiconductor Cluster."

Participants pose for a commemorative photo at the policy forum, “Strategies for Timely Construction of Key Infrastructure for the Honam Semiconductor Cluster,” held on the 12th at the Gwangju office of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Council. Photo provided by the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Council.

The forum focused on plans to supply 6.3 GW of electricity and 650,000 tons of water needed to build four semiconductor production facilities, or fabs.

Ryu Sangwan, director of the Semiconductor Joint Research Institute at Chonnam National University, gave the first presentation and stressed that the power and water supply systems and the regional industrial ecosystem must be established in advance to ensure the semiconductor cluster's competitiveness.

Ryu cited the example of TSMC's plant in Arizona, where the company plans to increase its water recycling rate from 65% to more than 90% by 2028. He proposed expanding water recycling at factories to reduce the burden on local water resources.

Min Hyeonjeong, head of the Future Strategy Research Office at the Gwangju Institute, said that although the government is leading efforts to select the site and establish a legal framework, securing public acceptance, allocating industrial functions across regions, and involving local companies in the supply chain are still at an early stage. "The government led the effort to attract the cluster, but regional governance will determine its success," Min said, proposing the establishment of a regional framework for implementation.

A designated discussion chaired by Assemblywoman Han Gwiye addressed measures to prepare for droughts and an unstable power supply.

Han Jeongho, a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Chosun University, stressed the need to verify the actual supply capacity of each water source to ensure semiconductor production is not interrupted, even during extreme droughts. He proposed setting priorities for water supply according to drought severity and expanding water reuse.

Lee Sunhyeong, a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Dongshin University, described RE100, which means using 100% renewable energy, as an essential requirement for the semiconductor industry. He said plans to meet RE100 requirements should be incorporated from the initial design stage and institutionalized to ensure a stable power supply and increase the use of renewable energy.

Kim Geon, a research professor at Chonnam National University, outlined the tasks local companies need to undertake as the regional semiconductor industry grows. Kim Seongho, a team leader at the Semiconductor Industry Support Office of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, presented an update on efforts to secure the national industrial complex site, water, and power.

Kim Seongil, chair of the Standing Special Committee on Semiconductors, said, "The success of the semiconductor cluster depends on turning large-scale investment plans into actual production. The council will closely monitor progress to ensure that key infrastructure is developed in line with companies' factory construction schedules."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.