The Regional Director for Energy stated in Lagoa that the Government of the Azores intends to promote new practices for energy sharing and its local use, such as the case of Energy Communities.
 
Andreia Carreiro pointed out that the Region is currently considered an international showcase for several energy production technologies. According to her, it "also wants to be a place where new technologies are at the service of new forms of energy management by consumers and for consumers."
 
The Regional Director spoke at the opening of the 4th Meeting with Energy Efficiency, pointing out that Energy Communities are an "emerging solution that allows an investment in energy transition from traditional grids to smart grids."
 
On the occasion, the emphasised the Government's commitment to transform the islands of the Azores into "inclusive and prosperous societies under the Smart Island Initiative."
 
Andreia Carreiro pointed out that Energy Communities "are a growing practice at European level." As she explained, "they are renewable energy projects implemented by a group of individuals or organisations that normally share the same geographic location; costs and benefits are distributed among community members."
 
The Regional Director stated that this option offers "numerous advantages," ranging from the sharing of the surplus of electricity production from renewable and endogenous sources to the reduction of costs associated with electricity bills and the change of consumption patterns. In fact, it aims to optimise energy consumption moments so that several economic agents such as the industry, tourism, trade and services may better use them.
 
"The Region has committed itself to promoting energy efficiency as a vector for sustainable development," stressed Andreia Carreiro. In this regard, she stressed that this purpose motivated the choice of the theme "Energy Communities" for today's session of the conference cycle designated as Meetings with Energy Efficiency.
 
These meetings intend to raise awareness, debate and disseminate the best energy efficiency practices in the Region with the aim of promoting and fostering a low carbon economy.
 
The fourth meeting of this cycle brought to the Azores several experts who shared their knowledge and experiences with regard to Energy Communities.