LIGHTS OUT AT 10PM: The energy saving decree is passed by the Government

The Minister of Energy Transition, Teresa Ribera, confirmed yesterday (Monday) that the energy saving decree has been passed and will come into force without being modified or postponed, despite five regions of Spain requesting it be withdrawn: Andalusia, Castilla y León, the Community of Madrid, Galicia, and Murcia.

She said that the meeting of the Energy Sector Conference had a cordial tone and that all regions have shown their willingness to collaborate on energy saving and present concrete proposals on new measures. In this regard, the Government will receive proposals until August 31st so they can present the final savings plan in Brussels in September.

Among the measures that affect public administration buildings, as well as commercial establishments, including department stores, shopping centres; cultural spaces, such as cinemas, theatres, or congress centres; and transport facilities, such as bus & train stations and airports, are as follows:

- Air conditioning is limited to 27°C and heating is limited to 19°C. To do this, they will have seven days from the publication of the decree to make the limitation effective, which will be in force until at least October 1st 2023.

- Digital or illuminated poster displays, billboards, and screens must have mandatory saving measures that reduce consumption.

- All public premises must have automatic door closers before September 30th to prevent them from being permanently open, which leads to huge energy losses as it ‘escapes’ outside.

- The lighting of the shop windows, and other non-occupied buildings, will have to be turned off from 10:00pm.

- Regarding "boilers and thermal installations", including air-conditioning, any properties that have not passed an energy efficiency inspection since January 1st 2021 must undergo a review before December 31st 2022.

The Canary Islands will monitor compliance with energy-saving measures:
The spokesman for the Canary Islands Government, Julio Pérez, has said that monitoring to ensure that the energy-saving measures are complied with has already begun, since they require "immediate application", adding that fines and sanctions for non-compliance, "are not small."

Pérez said that “we will be attentive to its implementation and ensure that everyone complies, as it is in everyone’s interest for the future of the islands.”