Soure, Portugal, Sept. 21, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal's minister for the environment and energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, on Monday emphasised the importance of the State's stake in REN and argued that the country cannot allow its critical infrastructure to be dependent on foreign powers.
«REN is a vital investment, and the public sector's – the state's – stake in REN is of the utmost importance from a strategic perspective, as well as in terms of national security and national sovereignty. We cannot allow our critical electricity, gas and gas storage infrastructure to be completely dependent on foreign powers,» she said.
The minister for the environment was speaking in Soure, in the district of Coimbra, during a visit to the restoration works taking place on the River Arunca following the storms at the start of the year, as part of the Municipality Day celebrations, during which she was awarded the Gold Medal.
When asked about the payment of a €64 million premium in the REN deal, the minister declined to comment, referring the matter to the minister of finance, who will shortly address Parliament to explain the entire operation.
Speaking to journalists, the minister argued that the State's presence in REN does not stem from a lack of trust in investors, pointing to the situation with European electricity transmission companies.
«It's not that we mistrust anyone; we have good relations with everyone, but the State also has to be there. There isn't a single one of the 40 electricity transmission companies in the wider European Union that does not have State participation. Portugal was the only exception,» she said.
According to the minister, the state must have «a strong say» in major decisions concerning electricity and gas, given that the regulator's role does not replace its presence.
«We had a say through a regulator. It is an independent regulator with whom we have an excellent relationship and who has done an excellent job, but our position in today's world must be more prominent within these institutions,» she said.
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