Email:
Phone:
Fax:
Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas
Approved applications for energy efficiency projects exceed RRP targets
Approved applications for energy efficiency projects exceed RRP targets
Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas
Regional Government provides technical support for creation of energy communities
Regional Government provides technical support for creation of energy communities
Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas
Berta Cabral says Azores are strengthening their leadership in energy innovation with European EV4EU project
Berta Cabral says Azores are strengthening their leadership in energy innovation with European EV4EU project
May 29, 2026
Approved applications for energy efficiency projects exceed RRP targets
April 24, 2026
Regional Government provides technical support for creation of energy communities
April 10, 2026
Berta Cabral says Azores are strengthening their leadership in energy innovation with European EV4EU project
News
Nota de Imprensa
May 29, 2026
Approved applications for energy efficiency projects exceed RRP targets
In response to yet another baffling attempt at misinformation and unfounded criticism by the leader of the Azores Socialist Party, the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures has once again issued a public statement refuting these claims, this time regarding energy efficiency support. The SOLENERGE programme, which has won national awards and received recognition from RRP management bodies, is a true success story unlike any other in the Azores, having received over 8,400 applications. As of today, 5,665 applications have been approved, representing an approved investment totalling €59.8 million. It should be noted that the original SOLENERGE budget stood at €19 million. This figure increased to €60 million in light of the successful management and implementation ahead of schedule (December 31, 2025) by the Regional Government and the installation companies, contrary to all doomsday scenarios systematically put forward by the Socialist Party. The 5,665 aforementioned applications already represent 42.5 MW of contracted capacity, i.e. exceeding the RRP target of 38.2 MW and far exceeding the original target of 11.2 MW. This means that 111.2% of the current target has already been contracted. The installation of this contracted capacity depends solely and exclusively on the equipment suppliers and the beneficiaries of the equipment; 29.2 MW (76.4% of the target) is currently installed, with the remainder due to be completed within the next three months. This installed capacity represents an investment by the beneficiaries of €25.8 million, with approximately €25.7 million already paid by the Region. This is an unprecedented achievement for the Regional Directorate for Energy as well as for the supply and installation of photovoltaic panels in the Region. It demonstrates an effort that deserves recognition for all those involved, who, even in the face of very demanding targets and an extremely adverse economic context, managed to create the conditions for the fulfilment of the contractual targets in their entirety—a responsibility that now lies with installers and beneficiaries. Regarding Proenergia/RePowerEU, once again, Francisco César has chosen to spread false information that bears no resemblance to reality, revealing a worrying lack of preparation and an evident lack of knowledge. As of today, the set target of 8.75 MWh has been exceeded, with 9.2 MWh already contracted. A total of €4.3 million in funding has been approved, with €3.9 million of this amount already paid out. These figures completely contradict the claims made by the main opposition party. These results show that more families and businesses have, and will have, in the coming weeks, solar panels and batteries in their homes and buildings, thereby increasing their energy efficiency and significantly reducing electricity costs. This represents an unprecedented shift in the Region regarding the energy transition, with impacts to be felt for many years to come, bringing direct benefits to the Azorean population. Furthermore, the Regional Government is preparing a new system of incentives for energy efficiency, through "Azores 2030," to be implemented after the end of the RRP-Azores, targeting new types of equipment and interventions that will lead to improvements in business infrastructure and households. In the area of electric mobility, the Government of the Azores has launched several initiatives, including an incentive scheme for the purchase of electric vehicles (currently suspended due to the priority given to implementing the RRP); the implementation of a public network of charging stations for electric vehicles, in partnership with Azorean municipalities, already comprising 96 charging stations across all municipalities in the Region; and specific support for the decarbonisation of the taxi fleet, for which the 2026 application process will be made available in the coming weeks. The Government of the Azores considers it a serious matter that the Socialist Party has chosen to maintain a stance that undermines the image of the Region, and the competence and dedication of the entire team of experts and officials within the Regional Public Administration. They have strived to meet, with distinction, all the major challenges they have faced in recent years, whether due to the demands of the Regional Recovery Plan (RRP) or the increasingly problematic international situation. The Government of the Azores is proud of the work carried out by all these people, the significant results achieved to date, and those that are set to be achieved by the time the RRP is completed. Its positive impacts are being felt, and will be felt even more so, throughout the economy and the daily lives of families and businesses.
May 29, 2026
Approved applications for energy efficiency projects exceed RRP targets
In response to yet another baffling attempt at misinformation and unfounded criticism by the leader of the Azores Socialist Party, the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures has once again issued a public statement refuting these claims, this time regarding energy efficiency support. The SOLENERGE programme, which has won national awards and received recognition from RRP management bodies, is a true success story unlike any other in the Azores, having received over 8,400 applications. As of today, 5,665 applications have been approved, representing an approved investment totalling €59.8 million. It should be noted that the original SOLENERGE budget stood at €19 million. This figure increased to €60 million in light of the successful management and implementation ahead of schedule (December 31, 2025) by the Regional Government and the installation companies, contrary to all doomsday scenarios systematically put forward by the Socialist Party. The 5,665 aforementioned applications already represent 42.5 MW of contracted capacity, i.e. exceeding the RRP target of 38.2 MW and far exceeding the original target of 11.2 MW. This means that 111.2% of the current target has already been contracted. The installation of this contracted capacity depends solely and exclusively on the equipment suppliers and the beneficiaries of the equipment; 29.2 MW (76.4% of the target) is currently installed, with the remainder due to be completed within the next three months. This installed capacity represents an investment by the beneficiaries of €25.8 million, with approximately €25.7 million already paid by the Region. This is an unprecedented achievement for the Regional Directorate for Energy as well as for the supply and installation of photovoltaic panels in the Region. It demonstrates an effort that deserves recognition for all those involved, who, even in the face of very demanding targets and an extremely adverse economic context, managed to create the conditions for the fulfilment of the contractual targets in their entirety—a responsibility that now lies with installers and beneficiaries. Regarding Proenergia/RePowerEU, once again, Francisco César has chosen to spread false information that bears no resemblance to reality, revealing a worrying lack of preparation and an evident lack of knowledge. As of today, the set target of 8.75 MWh has been exceeded, with 9.2 MWh already contracted. A total of €4.3 million in funding has been approved, with €3.9 million of this amount already paid out. These figures completely contradict the claims made by the main opposition party. These results show that more families and businesses have, and will have, in the coming weeks, solar panels and batteries in their homes and buildings, thereby increasing their energy efficiency and significantly reducing electricity costs. This represents an unprecedented shift in the Region regarding the energy transition, with impacts to be felt for many years to come, bringing direct benefits to the Azorean population. Furthermore, the Regional Government is preparing a new system of incentives for energy efficiency, through "Azores 2030," to be implemented after the end of the RRP-Azores, targeting new types of equipment and interventions that will lead to improvements in business infrastructure and households. In the area of electric mobility, the Government of the Azores has launched several initiatives, including an incentive scheme for the purchase of electric vehicles (currently suspended due to the priority given to implementing the RRP); the implementation of a public network of charging stations for electric vehicles, in partnership with Azorean municipalities, already comprising 96 charging stations across all municipalities in the Region; and specific support for the decarbonisation of the taxi fleet, for which the 2026 application process will be made available in the coming weeks. The Government of the Azores considers it a serious matter that the Socialist Party has chosen to maintain a stance that undermines the image of the Region, and the competence and dedication of the entire team of experts and officials within the Regional Public Administration. They have strived to meet, with distinction, all the major challenges they have faced in recent years, whether due to the demands of the Regional Recovery Plan (RRP) or the increasingly problematic international situation. The Government of the Azores is proud of the work carried out by all these people, the significant results achieved to date, and those that are set to be achieved by the time the RRP is completed. Its positive impacts are being felt, and will be felt even more so, throughout the economy and the daily lives of families and businesses.
Nota de Imprensa
April 24, 2026
Regional Government provides technical support for creation of energy communities
The Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, through the Regional Directorate for Energy, will provide, as part of the European NESOIPlus project, technical support for the development of sustainable energy projects in the Azores, with a particular focus on the creation and implementation of renewable energy communities. This is the first call for proposals under the NESOIPlus project with the partnership of the Azorean Government. This project aims to support public and private entities in the Azores, the Canary Islands and Martinique. The call for proposals, which is currently open, runs until June 26, 2026. Selected projects will benefit from specialised technical and strategic support, covering the structuring, identification of funding sources and implementation phases of the initiatives. Focusing on the specific challenges and opportunities facing island regions, NESOIPlus aims to support Outermost Regions in overcoming the constraints associated with geographical isolation, while strengthening their capacity to lead the way in more sustainable, resilient and inclusive energy solutions. This project has as one of its main goals to promote the creation and development of renewable energy communities, giving local authorities an active role in modernising the energy sector. Co-funded under the LIFE programme, through the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), the project will run for 36 months, until August 2028. Under this initiative, the Autonomous Region of the Azores has been allocated funding of approximately €117,000 to implement the planned actions. Applications for technical support must be submitted via the official NESOIPlus project platform (https://nesoi.eu/apply/), where detailed information is available on eligibility criteria, the application process and the support available to project promoters.
April 24, 2026
Regional Government provides technical support for creation of energy communities
The Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, through the Regional Directorate for Energy, will provide, as part of the European NESOIPlus project, technical support for the development of sustainable energy projects in the Azores, with a particular focus on the creation and implementation of renewable energy communities. This is the first call for proposals under the NESOIPlus project with the partnership of the Azorean Government. This project aims to support public and private entities in the Azores, the Canary Islands and Martinique. The call for proposals, which is currently open, runs until June 26, 2026. Selected projects will benefit from specialised technical and strategic support, covering the structuring, identification of funding sources and implementation phases of the initiatives. Focusing on the specific challenges and opportunities facing island regions, NESOIPlus aims to support Outermost Regions in overcoming the constraints associated with geographical isolation, while strengthening their capacity to lead the way in more sustainable, resilient and inclusive energy solutions. This project has as one of its main goals to promote the creation and development of renewable energy communities, giving local authorities an active role in modernising the energy sector. Co-funded under the LIFE programme, through the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), the project will run for 36 months, until August 2028. Under this initiative, the Autonomous Region of the Azores has been allocated funding of approximately €117,000 to implement the planned actions. Applications for technical support must be submitted via the official NESOIPlus project platform (https://nesoi.eu/apply/), where detailed information is available on eligibility criteria, the application process and the support available to project promoters.
