Due to the drought which Taiwan has experienced after 56 years, the operation of semiconductor plants like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) is feared to be seriously influenced. As of the end of May the level of water reservoir in all the dams in Taiwan went down and the water shortage has gone into a serious situation mainly in the central and southern part of the country. In three counties of Miaoli, Taichung and Changhua they are restricting water supply (water stoppage for two days a week).

Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that it would raise the drought level signal in case of no adequate rainfall by the end of May and reinforce further restriction of water supply. In that case, the industrial companies having their bases in the Science Parks (Hsinchu/ Taichung/Tainan) will have to reduce their water consumption by 17%. There is an increasing worry about influences upon the operation of semiconductor manufacturers like TSMC. However, from May 30 there occurred a stationary front bringing a blessed rain and the water supply restriction was avoided for the time being. No optimism is still allowed.

However, misfortunes never come alone. There was a blackout two times at Hsinta Power Plant (thermal generation) of Taiwan Electric located in Kaohsiung on May 13 and 17. The first one on 13 was caused by a human error and the second stoppage on 17 was attributed to the excessive consumption of electricity over the supply capacity.