During a meeting on 12th October, partners from the Province of Drenthe gathered with representatives from a number of local authorities to present and discuss implementation plans and strategies for greening industrial sites in the region. This meeting, under the ‘umbrella’ of Regio Deal Zuid- en Oost Drenthe, provided an ideal opportunity for the participants to exchange designs for future-proof renewable energy solutions with local stakeholders.
Regional development
The province of Drenthe has a total of 12 municipalities, six of which are clustered under the Regio Deal Zuid- en Oost Drenthe. Together with the national and provincial authorities, this cooperation works on strengthening all aspects of livability in rural areas in the region. By using this important regional development structure/platform to exchange expertise on sustainable energy transition at industrial sites, GRITH has been introduced to representatives from Coevorden, Emmen, Borger Odoorn, Hardenberg, Aa en Hunze and Hoogeveen.
Municipalities in Drenthe share strategies for sustainable industrial sites at a meeting of Regio Deal Zuid- en Oost Drenthe
Planning & strategy
Each municipality has selected an industrial site or business park within its boundaries and designed matching implementation plans for energy transition, including potential measures for energy efficiency and power generation. Furthermore, a number of these local authorities have linked their plans to an overall climate adaptation strategy and steps towards the creation of circular business parks. Richard Veldkamp, policy advisor for the team Economy, SMEs & Innovation at the Province explains: “We're here to support entrepreneurs in the region and work from their perspective and needs. "
Close collaboration, increasing capacity
GRITH aims for a stronger organizational power. ”With close collaboration we can achieve more,” Richard adds. “First step is to stimulate energy efficiency in individual businesses. Then, by improving the organizing capacity, we can give more substance to our ambitious plans, together with the stakeholders. Challenges like net congestion, and the generation and sharing of power by developing e-hubs, are all important subjects currently on the table for many industrial business sites. Within GRITH we’re aiming to take real steps towards realization.”
By improving the organizing capacity we can give more substance to our ambitious plans.