The northern provinces of Groningen. Friesland and Drente, together with Noord-Holland, are urging the cabinet to sign a new energy covenant with them to boost energy-related development and education.

The provinces say the covenant would boost investment in energy projects and setting up an Energy Academy under the auspices of Groningen University and the Hanzes hbo college.
The four provinces say some 20,000 of their residents currently work in the energy sector. The provinces had a similar deal with the previous government.