“We await the decision of the European Union to adopt the reduction of VAT [Value Added Tax], not from 22% to 16%, but to 12%”, said the head of the regional executive, Miguel Albuquerque.

According to the official, energy production from renewable sources in the archipelago will reach 40% this year and investments in the sector of around 69 million euros are planned, which will allow it to reach 50% by 2026.

Opposition parties – PS, JPP and PCP – however, accused the executive of having failed in the energy transition and revealed data that point to only 28% of production from renewable sources.

They criticized the Regional Government for not applying the maximum tax differential of 30% in the fuel sector, contributing with this intransigence to the escalation of prices in the archipelago.

“Your government does not need authorisation from Brussels to apply the tax differential,” said PS deputy and party leader in the region, Sérgio Gonçalves, indicating that the VAT rate could even be reduced to 9%.