What does potencia in Spain mean?
The potencia on your property could be affecting your energy costs and quality of life!
Electrical potencia in Spain refers to the power capacity or electrical load that a consumer is contracted to receive from the electricity grid
It is an important factor in determining the electricity bill for consumers in Spain
The potencia is measured in kilowatts (kW) and is set based on the maximum power demand that the consumer expects to use at any given time
This value is agreed upon between the consumer and the electricity supplier, and it determines the fixed portion of the electricity bill
It is important for consumers to choose the appropriate potencia level to avoid overpaying for unused power or experiencing power outages due to exceeding the contracted capacity
Speak to our team of knowledgable professionals to learn more about whether your potencia is right for you.
With the current price of electricity in Spain at an all-time high, it’s clear that many of us would like to save and reduce our bills as much as possible.
On March 8, 2022, the wholesale price of electricity in Spain hit a record high of around €544 per Megawatt hour (MWh), more than 10 times higher than what it was at the same in 2021.
What's more, between the peak times of 7 and 8 pm, the average Spaniard will pay an eye-watering €700 per MWh.
The recent energy price rises have put a squeeze on household budgets and helped to increase the cost of living in Spain.
Although there isn’t much we can do about the cost of our energy as this is out of our control, there are a number of things we can do to minimise our consumption and at the same time, reduce our bills.
In this article, you will learn more about:-
How much electricity the average Spanish household uses
What the three electricity billing periods are in Spain
Where people use the most electricity
Lots of tips to help save money on your bills
Let's take a look!
How much electricity does the average household in Spain Use?
According to Spain’s IDAE (Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía), the average Spanish consumer uses around 10,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year. The average Spanish household now pays around €1,400 per year for their electricity consumption with an average bill of €126.83 per month.
What are the new electricity billing periods and how do they work?
In June 2021, Spain introduced a set of new energy tariff charges.
The new tariffs establish three billing time bands which determine the cost of electricity based on the time of day.
Using your electrical appliances during these periods will determine how much you will ultimately pay for each kilowatt you use.
The new billing periods are:-
Off-Peak Rate (Valle) - As the name implies, this is the cheapest time in which to run your appliances. Off-peak runs from Midnight to 8 am Monday to Friday as well as all day on Saturday, Sunday, and during national holidays.
Peak Rate (Punta) - The peak rate runs from 10 am to 2 pm and from 6 pm to 10 pm Monday to Friday. This is the most expensive period in which to run your appliances and will therefore see you pay more for the electricity you use.
Standard Rate (Llano) - This is the intermediate rate between high and low and runs from 8 am to 10 am, 2 pm to 6 pm, and from 10 pm to Midnight, Monday to Friday.
Spain’s CNMC (National Commission on Markets and Competition in Spain) says that using certain appliances outside of peak hours can save households around €130 per year.
Something else to consider is the tariff you are on as this will establish how the different billing periods impact your overall bill. Your bill will also be determined by whether you are using the free market or a regulated market (PVPC).
If you are unsure as to which tariff is best for your energy needs, you should speak to your provider.
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