US AI chip giant Nvidia Corp. is exploring alternative sites for its new Taiwan headquarters after its plan to build at the Beitou-Shilin Science Park in Taipei encountered obstacles, ANI reported, citing a foreign media report.
Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin confirmed that the ministry had received Nvidia’s request to provide alternative sites meeting its requirements by October 24.
Background of Beitou-Shilin Science Park plan
“At Computex in May, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced the firm’s intention to establish a new headquarters, called Nvidia Constellation, at the Beitou-Shilin Science Park. The Taipei City government later confirmed Nvidia’s preferred locations as T17 and T18 plots, covering 3.89 hectares, to which Shin Kong Life Insurance has held the surface rights since 2022,” the report said, ANI reported.
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Citing a 2021 agreement between Taipei City and Shin Kong Life, the report noted that Shin Kong Life is prohibited from transferring its surface rights before completing construction and obtaining building use permits for the site.
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Legal and contractual challenges
Although Shin Kong Life expressed willingness to transfer the surface rights to Nvidia, the city government maintained that such a move would violate the existing contract.
“On July 10, city officials reiterated in writing that a direct transfer would contravene contractual obligations. To resolve the stalemate, the city proposed two options: Shin Kong Life could construct the planned buildings and secure use permits before transferring the surface rights, or both sides could terminate the contract by mutual consent, enabling the city to reissue the surface rights to Nvidia under an updated legal framework,” the report said.
Shin Kong Life has opposed ending the contract, citing its 50-year surface rights and arguing that compensation proposals would not offset expected long-term revenue. The city government rejected proposals allowing Shin Kong to profit from a direct transfer.
On October 2, Shin Kong noted that Nvidia would refuse to finalise the transfer after construction, citing legal advice that a direct transfer would not violate regulations. Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan added that Nvidia seeks the city to reissue the surface rights after the contract termination, but Shin Kong has yet to clarify the terms.
Amendments to related regulations are also needed for the Taipei City government to avoid suspicion of illegally benefiting Nvidia.
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Exploring alternative sites
Quoting Kung, the report said all relevant agencies had received instructions from President Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho Jung-tai to provide Nvidia comprehensive support, with proposed amendments submitted to the Cabinet for review.
As alternatives, Lee proposed another plot within the park, while Kung confirmed that the central government is evaluating other potential sites, including the Songnan Barracks in Taipei’s Minsheng community. Officials from New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Tainan, and other cities have also offered to host Nvidia’s headquarters, presenting various site and incentive packages. However, Nvidia remains focused on its previously selected sites, with these alternatives serving as backup plans, the report quoted Kung.
