Goda Perlaviciute and André Faaij appointed to new Energy Council

On 13 February 2026, the Council of Ministers approved the appointment of six members to the new Energy Council as of 1 March 2026, on the recommendation of Minister Hermans of Climate and Green Growth. Two of them are affiliated with the University of Groningen and the Wubbo Ockels School: Prof. Goda Perlaviciute (Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences) and Prof. André Faaij (Faculty of Science and Engineering).

The Energy Council is an independent advisory body that advises the Dutch government and parliament on the transition to a climate-neutral, reliable and affordable energy system. The council focuses on strategic independence and advises on the National Energy System Plan.

The Energy Council consists of independent experts who advise the government and the House of Representatives and Senate on various energy issues. The emphasis of this advice is mainly on the following points:

• the transition to a climate-neutral, reliable and affordable energy supply in the Netherlands (the energy transition);

• becoming less dependent on foreign energy sources and raw materials;

• preparing the National Energy System Plan (NPE), the cabinet's vision for a sustainable and fair energy system until 2050.

Read the announcement on the Rijksoverheid website here.