Spain has launched an energy savings plan to meet the European Union’s commitment to reduce gas consumption by 7% by the end of winter (most member states will do this by 15%) to avoid the threat of Russian supply disruption. The government assures that the effects of the scheme on energy consumption will accelerate, thanks to growing awareness among consumers.
The Ministry of Ecological Transition notes that the cut in energy consumption in Spain doubled in the second week of the implementation of the package of measures, which included, among others, closing commercial windows after 10 pm or limiting the curfew. In public buildings or on large surfaces, the temperature of the buildings is at least 27 degrees in summer and 19 degrees in winter at most.
The government estimated the cut in consumption at 3.7% in the first week (8 to 14 August) of the implementation of the austerity decree, and In the second week of the application (15-21 August), a decrease of up to 9.5% compared to the previous week or up to 8.6% compared to the same week of the previous yearAccording to the data presented by Joan Groizard, executive director of the Institute for Energy Diversification and Conservation (IDAE)In an interview with Cadena SER.
However, it is emphasized from the Executive that The measures taken will not be enough The European Commission has been promised to reduce gas consumption, and a new package of measures is being prepared to be approved in September. For this, the Government asked the autonomous communities and municipalities to submit their proposals for new initiatives by the end of this month. New measures proposed by the executive could include extending the closure of some monuments or illuminated advertising banners.
expendable lighting
The executive doesn’t intend to cut back on public street lighting because it’s so important to citizen safety, but “we should. see what kind of lighting is expendable” also points to the possibility of expanding the closure that is now applied to shop windows. some monuments or night advertisements.
The Ministry of Ecological Transition acknowledges the reluctance of some municipalities not to illuminate their monuments due to the potential impact on tourism. Similarly, Admin is shown reluctant to apply these cuts to urban Christmas decoration, emphasizing that this type of lighting is becoming more efficient and that its reduction probably does not mean huge savings. “Christmas doesn’t bother anyone in order to save 0.01% on consumption,” Groizard said.
For energy conservation “The aim is to prevent houses from getting cold in the winter, which the industry has to stop”, so the Government is working on a new package of measures that includes new initiatives for energy conservation and efficiency and others that will accelerate implementation. encouraging new renewable energies or industry to replace natural gas consumption with other producers such as biomass.