Vol. 2
The rapidly growing semiconductor industry
in Southeast Asia
The recent acceleration of foreign companies expanding their factories into Southeast Asia is due to a shift in policies in various countries. Since 2021, ASEAN countries have relaxed their previous protectionist foreign investment regulations and shifted their policies to actively attract companies. In response to this trend, various industrial sectors, including electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, are considering expanding into the area, with data centers and semiconductor industries being particularly prominent.
The data center industry in Southeast Asia is expected to see a 2.5-fold increase in the number of facilities over the next three to five years due to population growth, the development of the digital industry, and a growing awareness of “data sovereignty” to manage important information within one’s own country.
In the semiconductor industry, Malaysia, known as the “Silicon Valley of the East,” plays a central role. European and American semiconductor manufacturers have been announcing investment plans one after another, with total investment in 2023 expected to reach approximately 2.7 trillion yen, a threefold increase from the previous year. This trend of increased investment is expected to continue in the future.
However, in the context of actual plant operations, it is necessary to respond to various risks. In particular, in Southeast Asia there are areas where the power supply network is unstable and securing a stable power supply has become an important issue.
Under these circumstances, TMEIC is supporting the stable operation of the production facilities of companies that have moved into the region through its unique services, thereby contributing to the industrial development of the region.
TMEIC UPS and MPC solve power quality issues
Reliable and green energy UPS system
In the production facilities of the manufacturing industry, the stable supply of electricity has become an extremely important issue. In Southeast Asia in particular, areas where the power infrastructure is not fully developed often experience power quality issues such as blackouts and drops in voltage due to natural phenomena like lightning strikes. To address these issues, TMEIC offers two solutions: Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) and Momentary Voltage Dip Multiple Power Compensators (MPC).
TMEIC MPC (Multiple Power Compensator) for power quality solutions
The UPS is a system that automatically provides backup power when the power supply stops. It not only provides protection against power outages, but also protects equipment from various power quality issues such as voltage and frequency fluctuations, surges (overcurrent and overvoltage), and noise. The TMEIC UPS solutions use proprietary patented technology. The TMUPS W350 series is “Redundant Modular UPS,” which provides megawatts of power in single UPS frame expandable up to 6 units in parallel and can deliver power 10.8MW. Additionally, the W250 series is “Single Module UPS” also support up to 4.8MW by expanding 8 units in parallel.
What sets TMEIC’s products apart from their competitors is their efficiency and reliability. In this respect, the UPS has achieved the world’s highest level of efficiency. In addition, it has achieved the smallest installation area compared to other products of the same capacity from other companies.
“Recent manufacturing facilities have become highly digitized, and even a slight power disruption can have a serious impact on production. By adopting cutting-edge semiconductor technology, TMEIC’s UPS achieves both a stable power supply and highly efficient operation,” explains Saravanan Sathasivam, Sales Head at TMEIC Asia.
Saravanan Sathasivam
Sales Head
TMEIC Asia
On the other hand, the MPC is a device that is primarily used to protect the power supply of the entire plant. It constantly monitors the power supply status and supplies backup power within 1 millisecond when it detects a voltage drop. This prevents production equipment downtime and minimize product quality degradation and production loss.
“TMEIC’s strength lies not only in providing products, but also in being deeply aware of and understanding its customers’ business environments and challenges, and being able to propose the best solutions. We have received positive feedback that our customers are highly satisfied with our detailed response to their needs,” says Sathasivam.
A specific example of implementation is a plant manufacturing liquid crystal silicon for solar panels in Malaysia. The plant installed high-capacity 6kV-72MVA MPC system in 2012. The precision equipment used in the manufacturing process was extremely sensitive to voltage fluctuations, and even slight power disturbances could potentially lead to significant losses.
By introducing the MPC system, the company has succeeded in completely preventing the effects of voltage drops, which occur several times a year, and maintaining a stable production system. In addition, its high operational efficiency of 99% contributes to reductions in energy costs and curbing of CO2 emissions.
“For TMEIC Asia’s manufacturing clients, the stable operation of production equipment is a crucial issue directly linked to their profits. TMEIC technology does not only just ensure a stable supply of power, but also contributes to the sustainability of customers’ businesses” emphasizes Sathasivam.
Contributing to the industrial development of Southeast Asia
in the information society
TMEIC’s UPS and MPC products provide optimal solutions to the power quality challenges faced by manufacturing industries in Southeast Asia, leveraging their advanced technical capabilities and profound insight into local needs. These products are primarily installed in factories that require stable and continuous operation, such as semiconductors, liquid crystal products, automobiles, and precision industries.
According to a survey report, around 30% of these sectors spend the equivalent of 4% of their revenue on power quality issues, with 60% of that attributable to voltage dips and short power outages. Additionally, 92% of power quality issues relating to distribution and transmission faced by customers are due to voltage dips.
Under these circumstances, TMEIC supports the stable operation of our customers’ businesses through its highly efficient and reliable UPS and MPC solutions. In Southeast Asia in particular, data center capacity is predicted to triple to 6.5GW in the future, making the company’s products and services even more important.
Kenichi Kato, Managing Director of TMEIC Asia, commented: “Until now, in Southeast Asia we have focused primarily on business sectors that support basic social infrastructure. Building on this foundation, we will further expand our business to contribute to the semiconductor industry, data center development, and other areas that support an information society for general prosperity.”
Kenichi Kato
TMEIC ASIA
Managing Director
TMEIC will continue to contribute to strengthening the industrial base and economic development of Southeast Asia by providing high-quality products and technologies, while also helping to resolve the important issue of reducing the environmental impact that increases with the advancement of the digital society.
