José Manuel Bolieiro highlights "modernisation" of IPMA in the Azores - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, accompanied by the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, attended on Wednesday the reopening ceremony of the modernised regional office of the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) in Ponta Delgada.

This upgrade, which involved an investment of 150 thousand Euros, included the installation of infrastructures and equipment, including two stations and two electrical discharge detectors at airports.

The head of the Azorean Government expressed great satisfaction with this modernisation, stressing that this initiative joins other achievements made by the Regional Government, such as the creation of two weather radars, one on the island of São Miguel and the other on the island of Flores, an overall investment of around five million Euros, financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).

"In such a short time we are doing so much that had not been done for several years," he emphasised.

José Manuel Bolieiro also praised the importance of weather monitoring in the Azores, stressing that the Region is increasingly "establishing itself" as a vital hub for climate and weather research.

"These investments in major technological modernisation demonstrate how ambitious we are and confirm our centrality with information and knowledge," he said, stressing the importance of safety and environmental monitoring for the Region.

He stressed that the modernisation that has been completed is a tribute to the Azores' scientific legacy and evidence of the ongoing commitment to technological training and innovation.

"We are the way we are because of the influence of our geography. This investment also allows us to take care of our safety, infrastructures, their maintenance, conservation and use. Relevant information for our daily lives" he added.

The ceremony was also attended by the President of IPMA, José Ângelo Guerreiro da Silva, and the Head of the Azores Regional Office, Carlos Ramalho, who presented the institution's infrastructural modernisation and technological upgrade.