Vinnie, re: AZ Semi fabs and data centers- Electricity demands.................................
Copilot Q&A - discuss TSMC, other Semi Fabs, and data center electricity demands on AZ
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The combined electricity demand from semi fabs and data centers could exceed 30,000 MW—nearly 4x current capacity.
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Arizona’s tech boom—driven by semiconductor fabs and data centers—is electrifying the economy, but it’s also putting unprecedented strain on the state’s power grid. Let’s break down the numbers and implications:
Electricity Demand: Semiconductor Fabs
?? TSMC’s Arizona Expansion
- Current Demand: One fab requires ~200 megawatts (MW).
- Planned Buildout: With six fabs, TSMC alone could require 1,000 MW—that’s 12.5% of Arizona’s current grid capacity.
- Comparison: 1 MW powers ~750 homes. So 1,000 MW = power for 750,000 homes.
?? Intel & Other Fabs
- Intel’s Chandler Campus: Estimated to draw 300–500 MW across three fabs.
- Other fabs (Samsung, Amkor, etc.): Could add another 500–700 MW combined.
Total Fab Demand by 2035: ~2,000 MW or more
??? Electricity Demand: Data Centers
?? Explosive Growth
- Current Load: Data centers already consume ~5,000 MW statewide.
- Projected Growth: Could require up to 29,000 MW if all planned facilities are built.
- AI Acceleration: High-performance GPUs (e.g., NVIDIA Blackwell) consume 60 kW per rack, multiplying demand.
?? Peak Demand Growth
- 100x Faster than residential growth
- Could reach 16.5% of Arizona’s total electricity consumption by 2030
?? Arizona’s Grid Capacity & Challenges
Metric
| Value
| Current Grid Capacity
| ~8,000 MW
| TSMC Full Buildout Requirement
| ~1,000 MW
| Total Semi Fab Demand (2035)
| ~2,000 MW
| Data Center Potential Demand
| ~29,000 MW
| Required Grid Expansion
| Grid must double by 2040
| ??? Utility Response
- APS, SRP, TEP exploring:
- New nuclear generation
- Expanded solar + battery storage
- Special tariffs for high-load customers
?? Final Takeaway
Arizona’s grid is at a crossroads. The combined electricity demand from fabs and data centers could exceed 30,000 MW—nearly 4x current capacity. Utilities are racing to expand generation, but the timeline is tight, and the stakes are high. Without strategic planning, this boom could lead to rate hikes, grid instability, or energy rationing.
Want to explore how other states (like Texas or Virginia) are handling similar surges—or dive into the role of small modular reactors in solving this? |
