State in REN is “very important” for national sovereignty, says minister

“REN is a very important bet and the presence of the public sector, of the State, in REN is very important from a strategic point of view, from the point of view of national security, of national sovereignty. We cannot have our critical infrastructure of electricity and gas and gas storage completely dependent on foreign powers”, said Maria da Graça Carvalho.

The Minister of Environment spoke in Soure, in the district of Coimbra, during a visit to the intervention works that take place in the river Arunca, after the storms of the beginning of the year, integrated from the City Day, in which she received the Gold Medal.

Asked about the payment of EUR 64 million in prize in REN's business, the governor refused to comment, referring to the Finance Minister who will soon go to parliament to explain the entire operation.

To journalists, the minister argued that the presence of the State in REN does not result from mistrust of investors, noting what happens to European electricity transport companies.

“It’s not that we suspect anyone, we have good relations with everyone, but the state also has to be there. There are none of the 40 electricity transmission companies in enlarged Europe that do not have State participation. It was only Portugal”, he said.

According to the minister, the state has to have “a strong say” in the big decisions of electricity and gas, considering that the role of the regulator does not replace its presence.

“ We had a word through a regulator. He is an independent regulator, in which we have an excellent relationship and he has done excellent work, but our position in today’s world has to be more present in these institutions,” he said.