Whenever people talk about Taiwan’s semiconductor industry and its “national treasure mountain,” they almost always mention the same things: the density of engineers, precision in yield rates, and the process know-how accumulated through decades of technological development.
All of these are true. But they share one omission.
No one talks about those lines.
A semiconductor fab is one of the most power-intensive places in Taiwan
An advanced semiconductor fab consumes enormous amounts of electricity and must operate continuously. Electricity is transmitted from the external power grid to the fab, then passes through a series of transformers and distribution systems, with the voltage stepped down in stages before reaching every point of consumption inside the facility.
Starting with the extra-high-voltage transmission cables outside the fab, the power travels through underground cable trenches, enters the main substation, and is then distributed throughout the facility. Finally, it reaches process equipment and facility systems at the appropriate voltage.
It is a journey without a name and without a spotlight. The only time it gets noticed is when something goes wrong.
In an industry where operational stability is critical, any abnormality can disrupt the production rhythm of an entire fab. Semiconductor process equipment is highly sophisticated, and an unexpected power outage can result in scrapped production lots, equipment damage, or even delays in delivery commitments.
From planning and construction to operation, power supply systems must place reliability at the very core.
Outside and inside the fab: Two worlds, equally demanding
From a cable perspective, the power supply chain of a semiconductor fab can be divided into two distinctly different worlds.
Outside the fab is the world of high-voltage transmission. Taiwan’s current extra-high-voltage transmission system includes 345 kV and 161 kV levels. The external power supply for large technology facilities must also be connected to the corresponding transmission and substation infrastructure according to the power connection plan.
Here, cables continuously transmit extremely high voltages while facing the environmental challenges of underground cable trenches: temperature fluctuations, moisture, external damage, and the demands of long-term operation.
When a cable fails in this environment, the difficulty and cost of repair can far exceed those of a typical industrial facility.
Inside the fab is the world of precision manufacturing. The focus here is not simply on handling high voltage, but on achieving heat resistance, flame resistance, and stable insulation performance within a tightly controlled facility environment. Different process areas also have their own specific requirements, calling for specially designed cables and wiring materials.
A problem with internal wiring can likewise have a direct impact on process continuity.
The environments and specifications may be different, but the demand for reliability is equally stringent.
345 kV certification: A qualification that takes time to earn
To enter the high-voltage power supply chain, suppliers must pass rigorous cable type tests.
For 345 kV cables, testing under relevant standards includes high-voltage withstand tests, partial discharge tests, aging tests, and other evaluations to verify long-term stability under high-voltage conditions and temperature variations.
Taya Electric Wire & Cable was Taiwan’s first local manufacturer to pass Taipower’s 345 kV cable type test.
This “first” was not the result of a single test. It was the product of accumulated technical expertise and years of validation.
From the selection of cable materials and structural design to manufacturing process control, every stage must meet the corresponding requirements.
Taya became Taiwan’s first local manufacturer to pass Taipower’s 345 kV cable type test as early as 2008.
Nearly two decades have passed since this qualification was obtained. Before the current wave of semiconductor fab construction arrived, Taya had already passed the first—and one of the most critical—thresholds for entering Taiwan’s highest-voltage transmission system.
Taya’s product voltage range extends from 600 V to 345 kV, covering extra-high-voltage transmission outside the fab, 161 kV cables, internal power distribution, and specially designed cables for specific applications.
This breadth connects the two worlds described above within a single product portfolio.
Taya’s cables across various specifications have already been put into practical use at multiple major semiconductor facilities in Taiwan.
These supply records are the result of passing specification reviews, sample acceptance, and long-term application. In an industry with virtually no room for error, being continuously selected is perhaps the most honest statement of quality.
2026: The next chapter of Taiwan’s semiconductor landscape
In 2026, technology clusters including Hsinchu Science Park, Central Taiwan Science Park, and Southern Taiwan Science Park—including sites such as Kaohsiung Science Park, Chiayi, and Nanzih—continue to see new fab construction and capacity expansion.
Taiwan’s semiconductor landscape is still expanding.
Every new fab project means that an entire power infrastructure system must be built from the ground up.
This wave of fab construction is creating demand across the entire cable supply chain, from external power transmission to internal wiring.
Along this power supply chain, suppliers must not only provide products that meet required specifications, but also coordinate with construction schedules, maintain stable supply, and continue providing technical support after the facilities begin operation.
Across construction sites operating in parallel, some people are discussing equipment selection, some are planning process layouts, and others are calculating yield targets.
Under the floors, inside the walls, and between the circuits of facility equipment, there are cables quietly waiting there, ready.
Quiet yet reliable.
That is how they have always been.
When a new fab begins operation, what people see are more advanced processes and greater production capacity.
Under the floors and inside the walls, the cables supporting it all remain unseen.
For cables, perhaps that is the best state of all:
To make sure the next fab lights up on schedule.
Source: Business Weekly
https://www.businessweekly.com.tw/business/indep/1006988