Drenthe province launches initiative for sustainable business parks

The province of Drenthe has established a new strategic approach titled ‘Drentse bedrijventerreinen klaar voor de toekomst’ (Drenthe business parks ready for the future). The initiative aims to assist entrepreneurs, municipalities, and park management organizations in making industrial areas more attractive, sustainable, and resilient.

Drenthe currently hosts over 120 business parks, housing more than 5,000 companies and approximately 70,000 employees. These areas are vital to the regional economy and employment. However, many parks face significant hurdles, including grid congestion, climate change, land use constraints, and the transition to a circular economy.

To address these issues, the province will facilitate collaboration between various stakeholders. Proposed solutions include energy sharing to mitigate power grid limitations, the construction of water storage to prevent flooding, and increasing greenery to reduce heat. The plan also encourages cooperation on energy storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and the reuse of raw materials.