The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport revealed today that, currently, the Azores register a renewable energy penetration rate of 39.8%, adding that the rate of São Jorge Island rose from 5% in 2012 to 21%.
 
"This is the result of the continuous investment that has been made and the strategic options that the Government took over the years under the prospect of reducing energy costs in the Region, increasing the penetration rate of clean energy and, subsequently, reducing CO2 emissions," said Vítor Fraga.
 
The Regional Secretary stressed that "this is work is not finished, it is a work in progress," adding that "this year, we will invest about 17.2 million Euros in renewable energy sources, not only geothermal power but also water and photovoltaic power."
 
Vítor Fraga spoke in Velas on the sidelines of a visit to private company that installed 245 photovoltaic panels, covering an area of 350 m2, with an installed injection capacity of 62 kW.
 
"This is a good example of a self-consumption production unit that, in addition to meeting 50% of renewable energy needs, injects the remaining power into the public grid, thus becoming a source of additional income," said the government official.
 
For Vítor Fraga, this case "is in line with the policy that has been developed by the Regional Government for the introduction of renewable energy, in particular to increase their penetration rate in the context of power generation at regional level."