The Regional Director for Energy defended in Ponta Delgada that energy efficiency, whether through behaviours or through systems and equipment, is a "strategic resource-saving solution " for Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS), which will also improve their financial availability.
 
"Using energy rationally is, in fact, the only way to reduce costs associated with electricity consumption," stressed Andreia Carreiro. In this context, "the Regional Government intends to help IPSS by providing them with the necessary knowledge that will allow them rationalise and optimise their consumption as well as to have access to financial support available, instead of other proposals that only point towards the reimbursement of expenses."
 
"There are structural adjustments that these entities can make. Nevertheless, we emphasise the adoption of behaviours such as turning off lights when leaving a room, activating the energy-saving settings of a computer, choosing the appropriate tariff or consuming electricity during off-peak periods, whenever possible," stated Andreia Carreiro. According to her, these gestures and attitudes are likely to make all the difference.
 
"This is a process of learning and changing habits regarding energy use that requires efforts and commitments and, in this context, the Regional Government is committed to implement by helping these institutions that do everything to assist Azorean citizens," said the Regional Director.
 
Andreia Carreiro spoke at the 7th Meeting with Energy Efficiency, dedicated to the IPSS, which also involved the participation of the regional Director for Social Solidarity. The event included the presentation of the Energy Efficiency Programme for IPSS in the Azores as well as the incentive systems available for these institutions, namely ProEnergia, ProRural and the Azores 2020 Operational Programme.
 
The Energy Efficiency Programme for IPSS in the Azores consists, firstly, of energy audits, including a "detailed assessment of the conditions under which energy is used in order to measure energy consumption and the performance of systems and equipment," said Andreia Carreiro. In this regard, 14 buildings where different IPSS services are installed have already been identified to be considered in this intervention that will be jointly carried out with the Regional Directorate for Social Solidarity.
 
"The second phase concerns the implementation of awareness-raising actions and training sessions for IPSS workers on energy efficiency," added the government official.
 
The Regional Director also highlighted the Integrated for Energy Efficiency Programme for IPSS (PIEE-IPSS), an initiative developed in partnership with RNAE - Association of Energy and Environment Agencies, which will start in the first half of this year. It includes workshops, training sessions, assistance and good practices handbooks, already covering 37 IPSS.
 
"These initiatives evidence the alignment of wills and resources in favour of these institutions," said Andreia Carreiro.
 
The Regional Director for Social Solidarity, Paulo Fontes, reinforced the importance of this partnership and intergovernmental coordination to support IPSS and "Santa da Casa da Misericórdia" institutions in adopting procedures and accessing financing programmes towards the optimisation of their energy efficiency performance.