REN also refuses to pay extraordinary contribution – Jornal de Negócios – Portugal

The company opposes the charge on the energy sector but last year, contrary to what did Galp, paid first and then challenged. This year changes strategy, reveals Gonçalo Soares, REN administrator.

“REN decided not to pay this fee and challenge. That’s what we do.” Thus, laconic, without further information, that Gonçalo Soares, National Energy Networks administrator (REN), reveals in an interview to Diário Económico that, unlike last year, the company will refuse to pay 25 million, according to the Government , you fit under the Special Contribution on Energy Sector (EESC).

In 2014 REN paid the EUR 25 million EESC. In March this year, following the presentation of results, Gonçalo Soares, told the Business, found that the Committee had “a dimension and a very penalizing nature in the case of REN” and admitted that this year could follow the example of Galp : continue to challenge and not pay. Now the decision is made. “The process is following its normal course,” says the company’s financial manager in an interview with Economy, which does not exploit leading the company to change their legal strategy.

In March the leaders of REN assigned the EESC much of the responsibility of 7% drop in the company’s profits in 2014 to 112.8 million euros. This year, no cash payment – the decision in court may drag on for next year – the results may be affected positively, also translating into a better performance than the admitted to the business plan for the next year on . which is considered the cost of the contribution

“The plan takes into account the impact of the contribution of the energy sector the Government announced that, in 2015, would be the same amount as last year -. 25 million EUR -.. and the following two years, there would be a cut in half and then disappear That was what was considered in our plan then we’ll see, “says Gonçalo Soares in an interview with the Economic, which is accompanied by João Conceição , another director of the company.

REN’s business plan for 2015-2018 includes an annual investment in Portugal that range between 175 and 200 million euros, below the previous target of 200 million. The period will be invested 900 million in the internationalization of the company, focused particularly in Europe. REN promises to pay dividends of 17.1 cents per share by 2018.