2026 Plan is "instrument of increased responsibility" for the Azores, emphasises Berta Cabral - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, emphasised today that the Plan for 2026 represents an "instrument of increased responsibility" for the "collective future" of the Azores.

"Our guiding principle is clear: the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) and the opportunities arising from the EU funds under the AÇORES 2030 Operational Programme. This is a conscious political choice that clearly determines all our options for 2026," she defended. 

The government official spoke at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, in Horta, on the second day of debate on the proposals for next year's Plan and Budget.

On that occasion, Berta Cabral pointed out the “unprecedented context” of the Azores, which has never before had, at the same time, “two major community programmes in full swing.”

"This is a very demanding effort for a small region like ours. That is why we have said and reiterated openly and responsibly that we cannot do everything for everyone at the same time. Even so, we have already done much more in less time than others have done in many more years," she continued.

Starting with the energy sector, Berta Cabral stated that, through the RRP and RePower EU, "about €63 million will be invested in energy transition and clean energy production initiatives."

She highlighted the SOLENERGE programme, "one of the greatest success stories of public policy in the Azores," an award-winning system nationwide that has earned the trust of the European Commission through a €41 million boost last year. Additionally, it "has already supported more than 1,800 families and institutions and received over 5,000 applications, with about 4,000 already analysed."

"We will continue this work to ensure access to renewable energy and reduce energy bills for families and small and medium-sized enterprises, placing the Azores at the forefront of the energy transition," he stressed. 

In terms of infrastructure, more than 34 km of road network will be completed in 2026 through the implementation of six logistics routes, such as the Capelas bypass, awaited for more than 20 years, the connection between the Angra ring road and the Via Vitorino Nemésio, the São Jorge transversal road, the Horta ring road, promised for more than 30 years, and the bypasses to Vila da Madalena and Vila do Porto.

She continued: "This represents an investment of about €62.5 million in the structuring of the regional road network. A new paradigm that will promote the development of the territory, local economies, land mobility and the quality of life of the population."

As for public works in schools, "we will begin the renovation and expansion of emblematic schools in the Region that have been waiting for structural interventions for several decades, such as the Antero de Quental Secondary School and the Laranjeiras Secondary School in São Miguel, the continuation of the refurbishment of the Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade Secondary School in Terceira, and the launch of the Lagoa Basic Education School."

In the area of health, ongoing interventions at the Horta Hospital and Graciosa Health Centre will continue, and we will follow up on the processes at the Health Centres in Lajes do Pico, Ribeira Grande, Vila do Porto, São Roque-Livramento and Maia. We will also continue to build infrastructures to support fishing, particularly in São Mateus, and we will carry out various interventions to protect the coastline on several islands in the archipelago."

"In the environmental area, the Algar do Carvão cave project will continue, in addition to interventions aimed at stabilising slopes and creating retention basins on some watercourses," she continued.

In terms of port infrastructures, Berta Cabral highlighted the construction of the  Lajes das Flores Port, the coastal protection and redevelopment of Cais do Pico bay, and the expansion of the multipurpose quay at the Praia da Vitória Port, "planned since 2012 and never completed."

In tourism, the government official announced that the region has achieved Level II Gold certification, "maintaining a solid and progressive path of sustainability."

She went further: "Tourism is now one of the most dynamic drivers of the Azorean economy: it accounts for 20% of GVA, 17% of GDP and 17% of employment, generating more than €1 billion in annual wealth. The growth of this sector has been absolutely extraordinary in recent years. We have 45% more overnight stays and 85% more revenue than in 2019."

Berta Cabral emphasised that the Azores are now “a destination with great international visibility, which has the value to establish itself anywhere in the world, and attract new partners and supply capacity."

"Evidence of this can be seen in the 16, now 17, airlines flying to the Azores. Just today, Air Canada announced a direct Toronto/Ponta Delgada route three times a week next summer," she recalled. 

Regarding mobility, which "is a necessity,  subsistence, cohesion and Autonomy, 
we will invest more than €159 million, which, "in addition to structural works, also covers the continuity of services that are vital to our cohesion, and internal and external connectivity."

"We will invest more than €84.4 million in inter-island mobility to ensure air and sea passenger transport, the management of regional aerodromes and the continuity of the “Azores Fare,” one of the most emblematic measures of Autonomy, which has provided the Azoreans themselves with the opportunity to know the Azores. We will also continue to progressively develop the new model for maritime freight transport, which is already producing practical and objective results," she defended. 

Finally, the government official stated that, in land transport, the ongoing reform will be consolidated, "which involves the implementation of the remaining service provision contracts in São Miguel and Terceira, and the integrated regional ticketing system."

She concluded: "With these structural changes, from 2026 onwards, we will have a new paradigm in our transport as well as new social and economic opportunities."

Related press release: Speech by the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures