AI's power crunch hits Taiwan: foundry capacity tightens, chip prices climb into 2H26

The surging energy demands of AI data centers are reshaping the global semiconductor supply chain. Increased demand for power semiconductors and cooling systems has intensified capacity constraints in Taiwan, China, affecting upstream material and equipment suppliers. Infrastructure bottlenecks are pushing companies to prioritize low-carbon energy and liquid cooling solutions, heightening compliance burdens. Major chipmakers are accelerating vertical integration and regional production shifts, especially in the U.S. and Europe. In the short term, chip prices will remain under upward pressure, while long-term trends point toward energy efficiency optimization and supply chain diversification, creating new competitive barriers.