The campaign "Connect yourself! Produce your own energy" campaign starts today and promotes "small daily gestures" that, at the end of the month, may represent a "substantial reduction of consumption" and, consequently, of costs for families, which is the target audience of the action as well as companies.

The Regional Secretary for the Economy, which is responsible for the project, explains in a statement that one of the most effective measures is the installation of photovoltaic systems, which could result in savings of up to 50% in energy consumption.

Another recommendation points to the regulation of the temperatures of indoor air conditioning equipment, to a maximum of 19°C in winter and a minimum of 25°C in summer.

It is also suggested that the air conditioning systems should remain off when the space is not being used, and, on the other hand, doors and windows should remain closed whenever the air conditioning system is on.

"Alongside these suggestions, it that interior lighting be switched off whenever the space is not in use and/or after working hours, as well as promoting greater use of natural light, through glazed openings, skylights or light tubes, reducing the lighting that is on," the statement reads.

Among other suggestions, the "Connect Yourself! Produce your own energy" campaign advocates the use of LED lighting, which allows for a reduction of up to 80% in energy consumption.

"Essentially, this campaign's main objective is to raise awareness, explaining simply to consumers the need and benefits of energy efficiency, as well as triggering behavioural changes, such as reducing waste or inefficient energy consumption by highlighting that small changes in your daily routine may result in a significant decrease in consumption and costs, as well as improving environmental quality," clarifies the Secretary for the Economy.

The Madeiran government, which in October approved the Preventive Energy Saving and Rationalisation Plan for the years 2022 - 2024, also warns of "foreseeable difficulties in the supply of natural gas" arising from the current global situation, recalling that this vector "assumes relevance in regional energy production.

The campaign "Connect yourself! Produce your energy", as well as the measures presented by the Regional Secretariat of Economy, are the result of a working group formed by the Regional Directorate of Economy and Land Transport (DRETT), Madeira Electricity Company (EEM) and the Regional Agency for Energy and Environment of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (AREAM).