Selected Areas in Creating Master Plans under the Project for Promoting Introduction of Smart Communities -Start to create master plans for establishing smart communities in eight areas in the Tohoku region-

For the purpose of promoting the recovery of affected areas, METI has prepared a subsidy for projects for promoting introduction of smart communities (¥8.06 billion) as a FY 2011 Third Supplementary Budget to support smart communities using renewable energy, which are jointly established by businesses and each prefectural government of Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

This project supports creating master plans for establishing smart communities (Project I), and METI selects the plans and subsidizes the expenses of the selected plans necessary for devices for the systems to be introduced, such as energy systems managed in the selected areas or renewable energy systems, or expenses necessary for management of the project, based on the plan authorized by the Conference of the Next Generation Energy and Social System (Project II).

It is expected that the local governments will establish smart communities using the results from the demonstration in four areas in Japan* by selected businesses, including new energy businesses, local companies such as marine products processors, auto makers, and telecommunication carriers.

METI has invited and selected the organizations for creating master plants under Project I.

*Four areas in which the smart community project are currently demonstrated in Japan (Project for Demonstrating the Next Generation Energy and Social System):
Yokohama City, Toyota City, Kansai Science City (Kyoto), and Kitakyushu City (since 2011)

From February 14 to March 19, 2012, METI invited organizations for creating master plans, with the process implemented by a public organization called the New Energy Promotion Council (http://www.nepc.or.jp/) which distributes the subsidy. METI received eight applications and selected the following proposals through the examination by outside experts and others.

1. Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture: Fujitsu, Tohoku-Electric Power
2. Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture: Ebara Environment Plant, Future Design Center, Abecho Shoten, Kane, Kaneka Seafood, Kesennmuma Cooperative Society of Marine Products Processors, Sanriku Toyo, Takajun Shoten, Takahashi Suisan, Hachiyo Suisan, Marufuji
3. Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture: Toshiba, Tohoku-Electric Power
4. Ohira Village, Miyagi Prefecture: Toyota, Central Motor
5. Yamamoto Town, Miyagi Prefecture: ENNET, NTT EAST,
6. Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture: ENNET, NTT Data, JDC Corporation
7. Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture: Nippon Steel Engineering, Tohoku-Electric Power
8. Mogami City, Iwate Prefecture: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation, Kitakami Office Plaza

Aizuwakamatsu City is the only community selected for creating a master plan in Fukushima Prefecture under the FY 2011 third supplementary budget. However, as it is necessary to enhance promotion of the smart community project in the prefecture, METI decided to support Minamisoma and Iwaki City as communities for creating master plans.

Selected organizations for creating master plans will submit the plans by the end of September this year (Project I) and METI will subsidize the expense for systems and devices to be introduced and management of the project by the end of FY 2015, a period for intensively restoring the affected areas, according to the plan authorized by the Conference of the Next Generation Energy and Social System* (Project II).
In addition, METI will assist actions for creating the plans.

*Website of the Conference of the Next Generation Energy and Social System

• http://www.meti.go.jp/committee/summary/0004633/index.html (in Japanese)

April 17, 2012

Smart Community Policy Office, Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Department, Agency of Natural Resources and Energy