The Regional Director for Energy stressed in Brussels the "vast maritime potential of the Azores." In fact, they are a "privileged laboratory for the study and testing of emerging solutions in the production of electricity from the sea," whose technologies need to be further developed and properly suited to the market.
 
Andreia Carreiro spoke on the sidelines of the final conference of SEARICA - Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas that was held under the theme "Maritime Achievements and Future Challenges." On the occasion, she stated the integration of the Azores in "international seminars and conferences" as well as in various consortia create the necessary synergies for the Region to position itself as a testing ground for innovative energy solutions, bringing critical mass to the archipelago.
 
In this regard, the government official recalled that the Region "has been playing a leading role in the research that combines energy with the sea," pointing out the pioneering project of the Pico Island Wave Power Plant. Established in 1999, it was "the first experimental plant to be connected to the power grid and has contributed to the development of oscillating water column technology worldwide."
 
Andreia Carreiro also highlighted future opportunities in this area, a potential that "is being analysed by the Atlantic International Research Center - AIR Center. It explores the various areas related to challenges the Atlantic faces through several areas of knowledge, namely the oceans, climate change, the atmosphere, data analysis, energy and space."
 
"The Regional Government has been regarding the sea as an opportunity and intends to undertake efforts towards the creation of the necessary conditions for these emerging technologies to be tested and verified in the Region with a diversity of scenarios ranging from mild to adverse conditions," stressed the Regional Director.