The Regional Director stressed this afternoon the importance of "promoting the active participation of the industrial fabric in defining the energy policy of the Azores. She spoke during a visit to three industrial units on São Miguel Island in the context of the Azorean Strategy for Energy 2030 (EAE 2030).
 
"It is precisely with the goal of outlining a robust regional energy policy under EAE 2030 to harness the potential of each wealth-generating sector in the Azores that we are visiting" Santana Animal Feed, Cofaco and Fromageries Bel Portugal plants," stressed Andreia Carreiro. According to her, "we are talking about a strategy that defines an agenda for innovation, decarbonisation and safety of supply to the Azores, through the integrated promotion of energy efficiency and a diversified energy mix. It combines renewable, endogenous and technological solutions that have a crucial impact on the sustainable development of the archipelago."
 
"We are a Region of sea and nature, which is reflected in the industries exploring these potentialities," stated the Regional Director. In this context, she stressed that "encouraging the optimisation of the industrial sector in terms of energy will enhance its ability to generate wealth and create employment in the Azores, always in harmony with environmental sustainability."
 
According to Andreia Carreiro, this sector "has some impact on regional energy consumption insofar as the fossil fuels imported to the Azores for the industry reached about 6% last year, having registered a consumption of 18% of the overall electric energy produced in the Region."
 
"We intend to help the industrial fabric in defining strategies that maximise their potential in terms of the rational use of energy, either through the provision of information on the subject or through incentive systems. The latter aim to foster the development of a low-carbon economy," said the government official.
 
The Regional Director stated that "energy efficiency is one of the necessary conditions to meet the growing needs of energy services in this sector. It should be implemented through the optimised selection of energy forms chosen by the industrial unit and the rationalisation of its consumption." In this regard, she explained that the performance of the sector should be guided by "permanent efforts to reduce energy losses in processes and activities."
 
"The industry also has the potential to provide a significant contribution to the regional energy transition. As seen in a European context, the sector has played an important role in shifting to smart grids. It has contributed to a more flexible consumption, according to network requirements, which represents an increased integration capacity of renewable energy sources," added the government official.