Establishment of Minami Enshu Pipeline Co., Ltd.

Chubu Gas Company, Ltd. (President & Representative Director: Shoji Nakamura; "Chubu Gas" below), Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (President & Director: Akihisa Mizuno; "Chubu Electric Power" below) and Shizuoka Gas Company, Ltd. (President and Director: Hiroshi Tonoya; "Shizuoka Gas" below) have established a new company, Minami Enshu Pipeline Co., Ltd., on April 02 this year.

In response to strong demand for the supply of natural gas from customers in the region extending from southwest Fukuroi City (formerly Asaba-cho) to southeast Kakegawa City (formerly Daito-cho) in Shizuoka Prefecture, the three companies reached a basic agreement towards the establishment of a new company that will build a pipeline and supply gas. (Reported November 09, 2011.)

The companies entered into further discussions based on this basic agreement, and reached a formal agreement concerning the establishment of the new company.

Examination of the details of the construction of a pipeline and the commencement of sales and marketing to customers by the new company will commence in future. The target for starting supply of gas through the pipeline is the end of 2013, after the Shizuhama Trunkline has become operational, with supply for each area commencing successively from the Fukuroi City region.

Natural gas is a clean energy resource with an exceptionally stable supply that is used to help establish a low-carbon society to combat global environmental problems. This resource is in high demand from customers, especially in industrial fields, and its use is expected to continue to expand in the future.

By expanding use of natural gas and providing a stable supply, the new company and the three founding companies will continue to respond to the trust and expectations from the local community and customers as well as from shareholders.

[Overview of new company]