This thing seems to have no ceiling. Electricity prices continue their unbridled rise, reaching 436 euros per megawatt hour this Wednesday, the highest since the so-called Iberian exemption went into effect last June. These are more moderate records than those prevailing in the rest of Europe, but this is no consolation for families or economic sectors, especially commerce and industry, who claim to be on the ropes. Its representatives condemn it like this, and they voice their complaints about it. new gas cap surcharge This situation, implemented by energy companies, makes the bills even more expensive. Aid and tax breaks are the prescription that businesses and companies propose to face this situation.
In terms of the increase in electricity prices, the week started with a real momentum. If Tuesday was already at 365 euros per megawatt hour, a new 20% increase was recorded on Wednesday, which served to break a new maximum since the Iberian exemption was introduced. This is the fourth highest number since registrations. Dangerously close to the record of 545 euros on 9 March.
As if that weren’t enough, these promotions coincided with a new surcharge, specifically the gas cap, which corresponds to compensation for power plants that use gas to generate electricity. This is a concept that is not charged on all invoices based on when it is renewed, but can reach more than substantial amounts in the case of companies with large consumers.
All this has a significant impact on productive sectors, starting with trade. This is reported by Carlos Baño, president of the Alicante State Federation of Commerce and SMEs (Facpyme), who does not hesitate to point out that energy costs are “suffocating businesses at a particularly sensitive time due to rising overhead costs”. reduction of materials and raw materials and reduction in consumption”.
Baño described the government-enforced gas cap as “a cosmetic measure rather than an effective one, as spending on energy supply continues to rise and has no impact on the improvement in the economic situation of SMEs and self-employed people”. , Up to 30% increase in energy bills of businesseswhich contributes to the more than 50% increase already occurring in the first half of the year.
Faced with what it describes as a “perfect storm that threatens viability and jeopardizes the future of countless businesses,” Facpyme calls on the central government and Generalitat to take “compensatory measures, as other sectors have taken, is key to the provincial economy and it is now hard to confront.” cannot face a disproportionate increase in expenses”.
What about the industry? Pepe Serna, president of the Valencia Community Textile Entrepreneurs Association, points out that many energy-intensive companies, such as finishing companies, are in a borderline situation to the point where they offer employment regulation. Also, Luis Rodriguez, president of the Alicante State (Fempa) Metal Entrepreneurs Federation, said, “The Iberian exception is very good, but it’s ridiculous that consumers pay the difference.” In this context, it highlights: There are companies that have to face up to 2,500 Euro bill increases per month..
Salvador Navarro, president of the Valencian Community Business Confederation (CEV), points out that the industry has to bear extra costs in order to remain competitive, while Salvador Navarro confirms this, pointing out that one of the most important expenses for businesses is the electricity bill. . Navarro concedes that energy is cheaper in Spain than in other countries, “but it still – he emphasizes – affects the income statement”. In this sense, he believes that a solution can come from within.reduction in tax burdens penalizing the electricity bill“.
Electricity companies emphasize that costs are regulated
Regarding the gas cap surcharge, the electricity companies emphasize that this is a cost regulated by Royal Decree 10/2022 and they limit themselves to applying what the regulations say.
In the case of Iberdrola, company sources emphasized that this does not apply to all invoices. In regulated tariffs, the company internalizes this concept in energy cost. In the free market, the gas cap appears only on invoices with a formalization agreement after April 26, not on previous invoices.
Whatever the case, this burden on invoices leads to complaints from consumers, both from the producing sectors and from families in general.