“The energy policy of the Azores Government will favour public and private initiative investments in the use of renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar, wind and especially geothermal energy," he said.

He added: "To achieve this, we will promote projects based on storage solutions and intelligent energy management, setting a target of 65 percent penetration of clean energy for obtaining electricity by 2025."

Mota Borges was speaking at the Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, Environment and Sustainable Development, held at the Legislative Assembly of the Azores, in the city of Horta, Faial island.

The regional secretary said that the energy transition brings "clear economic, social and environmental advantages for everyone.

Mota Borges said that the executive will give "special emphasis" to "fighting energy poverty", arguing that the "most needy" should "find in energy a way to reduce their costs".

CDS-PP deputy Pedro Pinto questioned the governor about the "programme to combat energy poverty", and the regional secretary answered that the executive will seek to "sensitise people" to adopt "ways" to reduce costs related to energy production.

Socialist parliamentarian Mário Tomé asked Mota Borges about the executive's focus on electric mobility, since the budget for that sector has decreased compared to 2020.

In his reply, the regional secretary in charge of Energy specified that the amount allocated to electric mobility in 2021 is €326,000, higher than the amount that was executed in 2020 (around €250,000).

This is the first Plan and Budget of the Azorean executive led by Social Democrat José Manuel Bolieiro.

The Azores' Budget proposal for this year is around €1.9 billion, of which €165.7 million is for air transport and the restructuring of SATA.