New energy for Groningen economy
Project leader of the Nij Begun-recoveryprogramme Jacob Klompien presented the Economic Agenda for the programme today. This agenda is designed to ensure broad-based prosperity in the Groningen and North Drenthe regions over the next 30 years. Our CEO, Marieke Abbink-Pellenbarg, attended the presentation of the plan in Stadskanaal, which offers excellent opportunities to boost the region's economy with renewed energy.
The presentation of the Economic Agenda which must ensure a 'Nij Begun ('new beginning') for the residents of Groningen and North Drenthe. The project leader has compiled, filtered, and translated all wishes and ideas into a solid framework to work on this together in the coming decades.
"As a native of Groningen, I'm pleased that the Dutch cabinet presented a comprehensive package in 2023 to compensate those affected by the earthquake damage following years of natural gas extraction and restore residents' confidence," says Abbink. In addition to the damage settlement, the reinforcement project, and the Social Agenda, the Economic Agenda should boost the prosperity of Groningen and North Drenthe. "Fortunately, there are also many promising opportunities for the role of renewable energy,"
The agenda strongly emphasizes lifelong development and campuses to retain talent in the region. This aligns directly with the development of new energy knowledge through education, research, and facilities, which we are also working on with our partners. In addition, there is specific attention to the opportunities of sustainable energy for regional SMEs, such as the IndustrieCluster Oost-Groningen. “These are important developments for which we have already done the necessary preliminary work with many public and private partners in the broadly supported report 'New Energy for Groningen'. The Economic Agenda offers a good framework for this and excellent opportunities to build on. We are therefore ready to further develop this with our broad coalition.”
What is New Energy for Groningen?
Nearly thirty government agencies, knowledge institutions and companies in Noord-Nederland contributed substantively to the "New Energy for Groningen" report. This report formulated six key priorities for the energy transition to make a structural contribution to strengthening the region's broad prosperity, employment, and image. This was submitted as input for the Economic Agenda because the stakeholders consider it important to invest in a future-proof and energetic region.
