As the concession holder for the transmission of electricity at extra-high voltage and the high-pressure transport of natural gas, REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais, SGPS, faces the constant challenge of reconciling its activity with aspects of development as strategic as guaranteed supply, quality of service and preservation of the environment.
The success and contribution to sustainable development of a company like REN, which plays a leading role in such a strategic sector of the Portuguese economy, are obviously extremely important. The publication of our sustainability report is possibly the most structured way of informing stakeholders of the company’s activity in this field. Since its first edition, REN’s sustainability report has been drafted in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines and checked by an independent body. Since 2006, it has been a vehicle for regular reporting to stakeholders on the company’s involvement in and contribution to sustainable development.
Recognising that communication with stakeholders is one of the main driving forces of their acceptance of its mission, REN has undertaken communication activities, with special focus on a Q&A leaflet on electric and magnetic fields and electricity transmission entitled “Did you ask about high voltage?".Also with regard to communication, though from a perspective of including environmental issues in the management and operation of current assets and decisions on new investments, we published our Environmental Performance Plan and its execution report and held recent public sessions to present the strategic environmental assessment of our development plan for national transmission grid infrastructures.
Within the framework of its mission as a public service provider and the responsibilities it has taken on in terms of its technical, environmental and social performance, REN remains committed to developing quality, environment and safety management systems and extending their certification to the majority of the Group’s companies by the end of this year and implementing a social responsibility management system.
The importance of REN and its contribution to the development of Portuguese society are undeniable, thanks to the direct benefits from the fulfilment of its mission and the company’s responsibility in the field of corporate citizenship.
Projects like the REN Award, which rewards every year final engeneering essays on transmission of electricity and transport of natural gas, the sole patronage of Teatro Nacional de S. João since 2003, the active cooperation with Fórum BCSD Portugal and the United Nations Global Compact and sponsorship of a wide range of R&D projects, such as BIOCEM - CITEC in partnership with Lisbon University Pharmacy Faculty to contribute to a better understanding by the public of possible effects of EMFs on health, certainly play an important role in the Portuguese business world.