Samsung Electronics, currently the world’s top TV supplier, is estimated to buy US$7.5 billion worth of components from Taiwan this year for its LED backlit LCD TVs, according to the company, reported The Taiwan Economic News.

Samsung plans to ship 2,000,000 units of LED TVs by the end of 2009, a volume estimated to account for 10% of its total TV shipments of the year. The company has delivered 400,000 units in three months after the launch in April, snatching up 90% of the global market.

The company’s procurement list includes items like LED chips, LED backlights, display panels, monitors and TVs. And the estimated value of the procurements increases by 7-10% from 2008.

LCD panel supplies are reportedly running short, and Samsung Taiwan’s executives said that LED supplies are much tighter than LCD supplies since its applications in cell phones and TVs as backlights have sharply increased.

The company executives noted that LED-backlit LCD TVs are focused for their slim design, energy efficiency, and eco-friendliness.

From this month, the LED TVs will be available in Taiwan, priced at NT$65,900 (US$1,996 at US$1:NT$33) for 32-inch, NT$79,900 (US$2,421) for 40-inch, NT$119,900 (US$3,633) for 46-inch, and NT$179,900 (US$5,451) for 55-inch.

Market research firm iSuppli forcasts LED LCD TVs to post a market penetration of 39% in 2013, up from an estimated 3% for 2009.

Samsung Taiwan’s executives pointed out that Samsung will cash in on its status as the world’s top LCD-panel maker commanding 60% of the market to promote LED LCD TVs as the next-generation TVs. The company forecast global shipments of LED TVs to amount to 15 million units in 2010.