After EDP, REN and Caixa Seguros, the Chinese are now reported to be interested in Águas de Portugal – despite the fact that the public company is owed more than €513 million by 67 indebted borough councils.
Reporting on the news, Correio da Manhã writes that Beijing’s water supply company declared its interest in acquiring AdP during the recent state visit to China by President Cavaco Silva.
Meantime, CM reveals the extent of borough council debt for water.
Heading the list is Lisbon, which owes AdP €47.441 million. Évora is next (€23.961 million), followed by Chaves, Seixal, Fundão, Guarda and Loures.
In the Algarve, Olhão is the worst offender – owing over €13 million, while Vila Real de Santo António (€9.877 million), Albufeira (€8.880 million), Lagos (€7.338 million) and Vila do Bispo (€2.210 million) add to the ongoing headache.
CM explains 79 agreements have been reached – with councils repaying as much as €51 million – but at the same time debt levels continue to rise.
In the Algarve, water is supplied by AdP offshoot Águas do Algarve – and debt-recovery is in the hands of former Silves Mayor Isabel Soares and proving “very difficult”, said a source.
In 2012, AdP’s total debt stood at €508.9 million, but last year the figure had crept up another €4.8 million.
Aside from the country’s 67 most indebted councils, many others are reported to owe amounts below €2 million.
