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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
Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
Regional Government organised training course on LiDAR Surface production and Analysis
Regional Government organised training course on LiDAR Surface production and Analysis
Presidência do Governo Regional
José Manuel Bolieiro begins statutory visit to Pico to listen, decide and move forward with structural projects for the island
José Manuel Bolieiro begins statutory visit to Pico to listen, decide and move forward with structural projects for the island
April 10, 2026
Berta Cabral says Azores are strengthening their leadership in energy innovation with European EV4EU project
April 6, 2026
Regional Government organised training course on LiDAR Surface production and Analysis
March 2, 2026
José Manuel Bolieiro begins statutory visit to Pico to listen, decide and move forward with structural projects for the island
News
Nota de Imprensa
April 10, 2026
Berta Cabral says Azores are strengthening their leadership in energy innovation with European EV4EU project
The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, highlighted today in Ponta Delgada the strategic importance of the European project EV4EU – Electric Vehicles Management for Carbon Neutrality in Europe – for the energy future of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. The government official spoke at the auditorium of the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory (LREC) during a presentation session on the results of the project’s Portuguese demonstration site, located on the island of São Miguel. Funded under the Horizon Europe programme, EV4EU “has placed the Azores at the heart of the European debate on innovative solutions for integrating electric mobility into energy systems,” she said. Berta Cabral praised the role of the Regional Directorate for Energy and LREC, emphasising that the inclusion of Azorean entities in an international consortium “demonstrates the existing high technical capacity in the Region and the value of initiatives that bring knowledge, innovation and practical experience to the Azores.” These projects “are not merely academic or laboratory experiments, but rather tangible tools for regional capacity-building, which are essential for bringing the Azores into line with European best practices,” she added, emphasising that “innovation is a key pillar in energy transition.” According to Berta Cabral, “a sustainable future cannot exist without smart technological solutions, new energy management models and the consistent integration of sectors such as energy and mobility,” The government official emphasised that electric mobility represents “a unique opportunity to speed up decarbonisation, increase the efficiency of the electricity system and strengthen the integration of renewable energy sources,” highlighting the Azores’ leading role in this field. Berta Cabral also pointed out the Region’s consistent investment in renewable sources, with a particular focus on geothermal energy, a clear example of the commitment to endogenous resources that reduce dependence on fossil fuels, decrease emissions, and strengthen energy security. In this context, the government official stated that electric mobility plays a central role in the regional strategy, highlighting the Azores Electric Mobility Plan (PMEA) as a key tool in the Government's vision for a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable economy. The EV4EU project “has added significant value to this journey,” she added. EV4EU has developed and tested innovative strategies for the smart management of electric vehicles, with a particular focus on Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) solutions. They demonstrate how vehicles can evolve from mere energy consumers into distributed storage units with the capacity to support the power grid, absorb surplus renewable energy and strengthen the system’s resilience, which is particularly relevant in island regions such as the Azores. According to the Regional Secretary, the demonstration project set up in São Miguel “has helped us to identify limitations, consolidate our knowledge and draw key lessons for future developments.” In this regard, she emphasised that even when implementation is not immediate, “the knowledge acquired is undeniably valuable and provides a solid foundation for new approaches and projects." In a world marked by constant change, Berta Cabral emphasised the urgent need to invest in innovation, energy transition and the diversification of energy sources to build “a more resilient, secure and prosperous future.” The Regional Secretary also highlighted the contribution of projects developed under the RRP, through which EDA has boosted power generation for public supply, whilst private entities, alongside SOLENERGE, have invested in self-consumption. In this context, she emphasised that projects such as EV4EU “prove that the Azores are well placed to play an active role in shaping the energy solutions of the future, contributing to regional, national and European carbon neutrality targets.” “This is a path we are successfully following, recognised internationally, and one that positions us among the best benchmarks for sustainable development,” she said, concluding that the energy transition in the Region “is a strategic plan built in a structured and coherent manner.” Berta Cabral concluded by advocating that “it is vital that public and private entities, and every citizen, assume their role autonomously, knowingly and responsibly in this transformative process.”
April 10, 2026
Berta Cabral says Azores are strengthening their leadership in energy innovation with European EV4EU project
The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, highlighted today in Ponta Delgada the strategic importance of the European project EV4EU – Electric Vehicles Management for Carbon Neutrality in Europe – for the energy future of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. The government official spoke at the auditorium of the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory (LREC) during a presentation session on the results of the project’s Portuguese demonstration site, located on the island of São Miguel. Funded under the Horizon Europe programme, EV4EU “has placed the Azores at the heart of the European debate on innovative solutions for integrating electric mobility into energy systems,” she said. Berta Cabral praised the role of the Regional Directorate for Energy and LREC, emphasising that the inclusion of Azorean entities in an international consortium “demonstrates the existing high technical capacity in the Region and the value of initiatives that bring knowledge, innovation and practical experience to the Azores.” These projects “are not merely academic or laboratory experiments, but rather tangible tools for regional capacity-building, which are essential for bringing the Azores into line with European best practices,” she added, emphasising that “innovation is a key pillar in energy transition.” According to Berta Cabral, “a sustainable future cannot exist without smart technological solutions, new energy management models and the consistent integration of sectors such as energy and mobility,” The government official emphasised that electric mobility represents “a unique opportunity to speed up decarbonisation, increase the efficiency of the electricity system and strengthen the integration of renewable energy sources,” highlighting the Azores’ leading role in this field. Berta Cabral also pointed out the Region’s consistent investment in renewable sources, with a particular focus on geothermal energy, a clear example of the commitment to endogenous resources that reduce dependence on fossil fuels, decrease emissions, and strengthen energy security. In this context, the government official stated that electric mobility plays a central role in the regional strategy, highlighting the Azores Electric Mobility Plan (PMEA) as a key tool in the Government's vision for a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable economy. The EV4EU project “has added significant value to this journey,” she added. EV4EU has developed and tested innovative strategies for the smart management of electric vehicles, with a particular focus on Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) solutions. They demonstrate how vehicles can evolve from mere energy consumers into distributed storage units with the capacity to support the power grid, absorb surplus renewable energy and strengthen the system’s resilience, which is particularly relevant in island regions such as the Azores. According to the Regional Secretary, the demonstration project set up in São Miguel “has helped us to identify limitations, consolidate our knowledge and draw key lessons for future developments.” In this regard, she emphasised that even when implementation is not immediate, “the knowledge acquired is undeniably valuable and provides a solid foundation for new approaches and projects." In a world marked by constant change, Berta Cabral emphasised the urgent need to invest in innovation, energy transition and the diversification of energy sources to build “a more resilient, secure and prosperous future.” The Regional Secretary also highlighted the contribution of projects developed under the RRP, through which EDA has boosted power generation for public supply, whilst private entities, alongside SOLENERGE, have invested in self-consumption. In this context, she emphasised that projects such as EV4EU “prove that the Azores are well placed to play an active role in shaping the energy solutions of the future, contributing to regional, national and European carbon neutrality targets.” “This is a path we are successfully following, recognised internationally, and one that positions us among the best benchmarks for sustainable development,” she said, concluding that the energy transition in the Region “is a strategic plan built in a structured and coherent manner.” Berta Cabral concluded by advocating that “it is vital that public and private entities, and every citizen, assume their role autonomously, knowingly and responsibly in this transformative process.”
Nota de Imprensa
April 6, 2026
Regional Government organised training course on LiDAR Surface production and Analysis
The Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action organised a training course on LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) Surface Production and Analysis, conducted by specialist Nelson Ribeiro Pires, a geospatial engineer and lecturer at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto. It took place on the island of São Miguel between March 27 and April 2, with a view to contributing to the Region’s capacity-building in this field. According to the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, “the main aim of the training was to provide Regional Public Administration professionals with the skills to process and analyse LiDAR and photogrammetry data. The aim was to develop essential skills to improve response and planning capabilities in various areas, including mapping production, risk management, civil protection, forestry development, spatial planning and sustainable landscape management, through the production, analysis and use of high-precision geospatial information.” LiDAR is an active remote sensing technology that generates three-dimensional point clouds by measuring the properties of light reflected from distant objects, making it possible to measure distances and movements accurately in real time. It also allows for the creation of detailed terrain models, which are essential, for example, for simulating floods and landslides, monitoring coastal areas and mapping hydrographic basins. Organised as part of the Life IP Climaz project, this 26-hour training course brought together 35 participants from several sectors, including public administration professionals working in areas such as civil protection, the environment and climate action, spatial planning, forestry services, maritime policy, as well as the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory. Alonso Miguel noted that “the Regional Government commissioned an aerial photogrammetric survey, including LiDAR scanning, carried out in 2024 and whose results will be made public shortly. It is currently wrapping up a tender process for the production of vector topographic maps, at a scale of 1:2000 for built-up areas and 1:10,000 for the Region’s undeveloped areas, which will provide the Region with a common and standardised mapping base.” “With this tender for the procurement of vector topographic mapping services, due to be launched later in 2026 and representing an investment of €2.2 million, the Region will now have highly detailed information covering its entire area, namely high-resolution digital terrain and surface models. This is something unprecedented until now, ensuring a very significant development, with major implications for knowledge, planning and land management,” he continued. Alonso Miguel added that “detailed mapping is also essential in the context of spatial planning processes, particularly for amendments to spatial planning tools, with particular focus on the amendment and revision of Special Land Management Plans and Municipal Land Management Plans (PDM). According to the Regional Climate Change Programme, they must produce detailed mapping at a scale of 1:2000 or greater, whenever they aim to determine the distance at which buildings, facilities or infrastructures must be located from areas of significant risk.” The government official also emphasised that the subsequent maps to be produced, based on this information, will have as their main goal the detailed updating of the stretches of built-up areas on our islands exposed to coastal risks during extreme events. This will also help to create scenarios in a climate change context, contributing to the definition of mitigation and adaptation measures – an aspect of significant importance that also concerns the safety of people and property. The Regional Secretary emphasised that “about €1.5 million has been invested since 2022 in equipping the Region with technological equipment, which is essential for the development and updating of mapping on the nine islands.” “In 2023, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action procured various pieces of equipment to improve the capabilities of its internal services in the fields of geodesy, mapping and land registration, representing an investment of over €800,000, with 100% funded under the REACT-EU programme. The procurement included four Total Stations, four GNSS receivers, nine multi-rotor drones, one permanent GNSS station, three quadcopters for LiDAR surveying, three workstations, three photogrammetric processors, one laser scanner and nine GNSS receivers for the Permanent Station Network,” he recalled. Alonso Miguel noted that “there would be no point in equipping the Region with state-of-the-art technological equipment if the corresponding training were not provided, enabling public administration technicians to make the most of these tools through their efficient use.” In this regard, he added that “with the technological leap the Region has made, it will be possible to update mapping data more frequently, and this information is also relevant for research and science as well as for the Azorean business community." The government official concluded by stating that “developing these skills within the Regional Public Administration strengthens our capacity to respond to natural hazards, manage the environment, and provide essential technical information for decision-making and spatial planning in the Region.” The training focused on autonomous platforms, sensors and applications, as well as the algorithms used in photogrammetric processing. The course was designed with an open approach, prioritising the use of open-source software such as OpenDroneMap (ODM) and tools such as PDAL (Point Data Abstraction Library) and Open Point Cloud for processing and classifying point clouds. However, other proprietary tools, such as LAStools and Whiteboxtools for QGIS, were also tested.
April 6, 2026
Regional Government organised training course on LiDAR Surface production and Analysis
The Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action organised a training course on LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) Surface Production and Analysis, conducted by specialist Nelson Ribeiro Pires, a geospatial engineer and lecturer at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto. It took place on the island of São Miguel between March 27 and April 2, with a view to contributing to the Region’s capacity-building in this field. According to the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, “the main aim of the training was to provide Regional Public Administration professionals with the skills to process and analyse LiDAR and photogrammetry data. The aim was to develop essential skills to improve response and planning capabilities in various areas, including mapping production, risk management, civil protection, forestry development, spatial planning and sustainable landscape management, through the production, analysis and use of high-precision geospatial information.” LiDAR is an active remote sensing technology that generates three-dimensional point clouds by measuring the properties of light reflected from distant objects, making it possible to measure distances and movements accurately in real time. It also allows for the creation of detailed terrain models, which are essential, for example, for simulating floods and landslides, monitoring coastal areas and mapping hydrographic basins. Organised as part of the Life IP Climaz project, this 26-hour training course brought together 35 participants from several sectors, including public administration professionals working in areas such as civil protection, the environment and climate action, spatial planning, forestry services, maritime policy, as well as the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory. Alonso Miguel noted that “the Regional Government commissioned an aerial photogrammetric survey, including LiDAR scanning, carried out in 2024 and whose results will be made public shortly. It is currently wrapping up a tender process for the production of vector topographic maps, at a scale of 1:2000 for built-up areas and 1:10,000 for the Region’s undeveloped areas, which will provide the Region with a common and standardised mapping base.” “With this tender for the procurement of vector topographic mapping services, due to be launched later in 2026 and representing an investment of €2.2 million, the Region will now have highly detailed information covering its entire area, namely high-resolution digital terrain and surface models. This is something unprecedented until now, ensuring a very significant development, with major implications for knowledge, planning and land management,” he continued. Alonso Miguel added that “detailed mapping is also essential in the context of spatial planning processes, particularly for amendments to spatial planning tools, with particular focus on the amendment and revision of Special Land Management Plans and Municipal Land Management Plans (PDM). According to the Regional Climate Change Programme, they must produce detailed mapping at a scale of 1:2000 or greater, whenever they aim to determine the distance at which buildings, facilities or infrastructures must be located from areas of significant risk.” The government official also emphasised that the subsequent maps to be produced, based on this information, will have as their main goal the detailed updating of the stretches of built-up areas on our islands exposed to coastal risks during extreme events. This will also help to create scenarios in a climate change context, contributing to the definition of mitigation and adaptation measures – an aspect of significant importance that also concerns the safety of people and property. The Regional Secretary emphasised that “about €1.5 million has been invested since 2022 in equipping the Region with technological equipment, which is essential for the development and updating of mapping on the nine islands.” “In 2023, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action procured various pieces of equipment to improve the capabilities of its internal services in the fields of geodesy, mapping and land registration, representing an investment of over €800,000, with 100% funded under the REACT-EU programme. The procurement included four Total Stations, four GNSS receivers, nine multi-rotor drones, one permanent GNSS station, three quadcopters for LiDAR surveying, three workstations, three photogrammetric processors, one laser scanner and nine GNSS receivers for the Permanent Station Network,” he recalled. Alonso Miguel noted that “there would be no point in equipping the Region with state-of-the-art technological equipment if the corresponding training were not provided, enabling public administration technicians to make the most of these tools through their efficient use.” In this regard, he added that “with the technological leap the Region has made, it will be possible to update mapping data more frequently, and this information is also relevant for research and science as well as for the Azorean business community." The government official concluded by stating that “developing these skills within the Regional Public Administration strengthens our capacity to respond to natural hazards, manage the environment, and provide essential technical information for decision-making and spatial planning in the Region.” The training focused on autonomous platforms, sensors and applications, as well as the algorithms used in photogrammetric processing. The course was designed with an open approach, prioritising the use of open-source software such as OpenDroneMap (ODM) and tools such as PDAL (Point Data Abstraction Library) and Open Point Cloud for processing and classifying point clouds. However, other proprietary tools, such as LAStools and Whiteboxtools for QGIS, were also tested.