Development of regional energy policy agenda is the goal for 2017, says Marta Guerreiro
The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism said this morning that one of the main goals for 2017 concerns the development of a regional energy policy agenda, based on the goals to increase of energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy dependency and mitigate the costs on fossil fuel use.
"By 2020, we intend that electricity production from renewable and endogenous sources reaches a rate of 60%, combining them with storage system in order to ensure the quality and safety of supply to the population," said Marta Guerreiro. The government official spoke on the sidelines of a meeting with the Minister of the Environment in Lisbon.
In 2017, the Government will present the Electric Mobility Plan for the Azores, which will be under discussion, thus starting the implementation of this reality in the Azores.
"We are currently working on the Electric Mobility Plan for the Azores, transposing and adapting the national legislation. We are also developing the programme from a strategic and operational standpoint," mentioned the government official.
In addition to creating the charging stations infrastructures, the aim is to develop a "robust" and "inclusive" programme, whose consortium is composed of public and private bodies for the creation of a smart and sustainable electric mobility programme.
According to Marta Guerreiro, "the Region has the ideal setting for the adoption of electric mobility since our average daily routes are shorter; it is not necessary to charge the vehicle every day."
Furthermore, the Regional Secretary intends to develop mechanisms towards awareness, which will allow the adoption of efficient behaviour in energy use.
Marta Guerreiro believes that the introduction of electric vehicles in the Azores could be "significant," thus providing a sustainable contribution to the implementation of mobility in the Region in "perfect harmony" with the archipelago's nature.
Yesterday, the Regional Secretary also met with the Secretary of State for Energy. The meeting addressed themes of mutual interest for an "effective and active cooperation and collaboration between regional and national energies in the energy sector, such as legislation, financial tools and training."