Minister says Sines water intake belongs to the State, not EDP

Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho told a parliamentary hearing that the water intake at Sines, formerly used to cool EDP's now-dismantled thermoelectric plant, belongs to the State. The Government transferred its management to Águas de Santo André, a move EDP contested about two months ago with an injunction. Carvalho said that request has been resolved and the main case is now in court. She also addressed data centres, noting they are not classed as an electro-intensive sector, so lack energy priority, and must present cooling solutions and pass environmental impact assessments, amid a Government strategy to attract data centres deemed worthwhile.