Communiqué from the Council of the Government - Communication

The Council of the Government, which met on April 28, 2026, in Praia da Vitória, adopted the following measures:

1. Approve a resolution revising the Transport Plan for the Azores for the 2021–2030 period (PTA 2030);

About three years after the approval of the aforementioned Plan, it is clear that amendments are necessary to adapt its targets and measures, to better align them, on the one hand, with the strategic goals of the country and the Region and, on the other hand, with the reality observed in the mobility and transport sectors, which are constantly evolving at a rapid pace. There is a need to update the mapping of investments in each sector, given that these have undergone changes from what was initially planned. The investments to be carried out include, in particular, the acquisition of two electric tugs, one for the Ponta Delgada Port and the other for Praia da Vitória, the expansion of Lajes Civil Airport, and the protection of the São Roque do Pico coastline.

2. Approve a resolution authorising the expenditure and decision to procure licensing services for the Low Code – Outsystems application development platform, at a base price of €1,128,000.00.

3. Approve a Resolution authorising the procurement, through a public tender, of a concession contract for the exclusive use of facilities on the Sete Cidades lakeside, São Miguel Island, namely a snack bar and changing rooms, a sailing club, a boat hangar and a car park, for a five-year period. This concession is intended to provide the necessary conditions for recreational and sporting nautical activities, as well as to improve visitor facilities.

4. Approve a Resolution ratifying all acts carried out by the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures regarding regular road passenger transport on the island of São Miguel, specifically the public procurement procedures launched to ensure the maintenance of the service until the concession contract for the regular road passenger transport service on the island of São Miguel enters into full force.

5. Approve a Resolution authorising the classification of the fluids and geological formations traversed by geothermal wells CL8, CL9 and CL10, located in Mata do Botelho, Cachaços-Lombadas sector of the Ribeira Grande geothermal field, as a geothermal resource, as well as the recognition of CL9 and CL10 wells as production wells and CL8 well as a reservoir monitoring well. The sustainable exploitation of geothermal resources represents a strategic pillar of regional energy policy, contributing to the energy transition, the reduction of dependence on fossil fuels and the enhancement of the endogenous resources of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. The management of these resources falls within the remit of the Region’s own governing bodies.