Province of South Holland

The Province of South Holland (Provincie Zuid-Holland) is a regional government in the western Netherlands. It administers a densely populated area that includes major cities such as Rotterdam, The Hague (provincial capital), Leiden, and Dordrecht. The province is responsible for spatial planning, regional economic development, environmental policy, mobility and infrastructure, and aspects of the energy transition, working alongside municipalities, regional agencies, and national authorities.

South Holland hosts one of Europe’s most significant industrial regions, centered on the Port of Rotterdam and the surrounding Rijnmond area, with extensive petrochemical, refining, and chemical production, as well as emerging biotechnology and materials activities. The provincial government helps set frameworks for industrial development and sustainability, and—often via regional environmental services such as DCMR—oversees environmental permitting and compliance for large installations under Dutch and EU rules. It collaborates with the Port of Rotterdam Authority, companies, and knowledge institutions on industrial safety, emissions reduction, circular economy initiatives, hydrogen and electrification projects, and CO2 infrastructure, supporting the region’s transition toward a lower‑carbon, competitive chemical and process industry base.