Japan announces subsidies for projects to promote understanding of geothermal

Vulcano Louzan, Hokkaido, Japan (source: flickr/ rs_the_rs, creative commons)

Carlo Cariaga 20 Jun 2024

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry via the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Resources and Fuel Department, Policy Division have announced the recipient projects for the 2024 subsidy program for Geothermal Power Generation Promotion.

The purpose of this subsidy is to promote understanding of geothermal resource development among local residents at geothermal resource development sites.  The subsidy will cover the expenses required for projects that contribute to promoting understanding of geothermal resource development, which are carried out at sites where geothermal resource development is currently underway or where future geothermal resource development is planned.

Specifically, the subsidy covers:

1. study sessions and other projects, and
2.  hot spring impact surveys, etc., to promote understanding of geothermal resource development among local residents at geothermal resource development sites.

Subsidies will be awarded to the following agencies for their corresponding projects:

Hokkaido Bureau of Economy, Trade, and Industry

• Information on geothermal will be gathered through study sessions and surveys of advanced cases in Rausu Town, Hokkaido. There will also be publicly run councils to provide relevant information and enhance understanding of geothermal to the residents.

Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade, and Industry

• To promote understanding of geothermal in Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture, there will be various events including the “Huchitake Geothermal Roundtable,” “Opinion Exchange Meeting on the Survey of Geothermal Resource Development in the Mutsu City Hiuchitake Region,” “Mutsu City Hiuchitake Surrounding Geothermal Development Study Group,” as well as  a “Geothermal Advanced Site Tour.”
• The “Consortium for Promoting the Multifaceted Use of Geothermal Energy” holds tours in geothermal power plants and inspects regional development projects that utilize the hot water, steam, and other energy sources supplied by geothermal in the Akita region. There will also be seminars aimed at a wide range of people and exhibits at the “Akita Eco Festival,” in order to promote understanding among the prefecture’s residents regarding the utilization and development of geothermal resources.
• A hot water supply well will be drilled in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture to supply hot water for hot spring facilities near a geothermal resource development site. This will foster a sense of security in the local area, and promote understanding of geothermal resource development.
• The “Mt. Myoko Geothermal Liaison Meeting” will be held in Myoko City to promote local understanding of geothermal. There will also “Advanced Area Inspection Tours,” and a “Regional Development Measures Study Group” to share information with the entire region, foster understanding of geothermal development at each development stage, and consider regional development measures that utilize hot water.

Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade, and Industry

• In order to raise awareness of the fact that Oita Prefecture is one the best regions in the country in terms of geothermal resources, and to promote understanding of geothermal energy not only among local residents in the areas where geothermal development is taking place, but also among the general public in the prefecture, there will be (1) symposiums for prefectural residents, (2) events for children, (3) tours of heat utilization for business operators, and (4) television programs related to geothermal energy.

Source: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry