In 1981, by taking advantage of concentration of nuclear power plants in Wakasa Wan region, the "Atom Polis Project" was advocated to develop a facility for making researches on the energy-related technologies and the application of such technologies to the local industries, and conducting trainings for them. Since then, various efforts have been made to realize the project. Along with this movement, the 13th Science Council of Japan proposed a concept of the "regional research institutions (centers)" in 1987 to create research institutions in local regions and utilize the resulting research in activating their communities. Taking this opportunity, relevant parties from each university, power industry and research institute started discussion on the project with Fukui Prefecture taking the central role. As a result, the basic concept was compiled in 1993 and the basic plan in 1994.