The Catalan government is pressing for flexibility from electricity providers, including Endesa and others, to forgive debts for vulnerable customers across Catalonia. At present, Endesa stands out as the only major company that has publicly committed to removing or reducing outstanding balances for households in need, while many other suppliers have not yet followed suit. The government obtained assurances from the social rights ministry that it would reach out to the energy sector group to explore relief measures as soon as possible, aiming to ease the burden on families struggling to pay their bills who rely on reliable electricity service.
The administration is inviting all electricity suppliers operating in Catalonia to sign a debt-relief agreement similar to the one Endesa reportedly has with vulnerable customers. Naturgy ranks as the second-largest provider in the region, followed by Iberdrola. Despite their significant presence, these companies account for a small share of the market, and some customers report persistent hardship even with reduced tariffs.
Historically, vulnerable households in Catalonia have faced mounting debt since 2015, the year when a regional law on energy poverty was enacted to prevent disconnections for families unable to pay. Many of these customers continue to consume energy while debts accumulate, receiving frequent collection notices that heighten stress and complicate efforts to reduce consumption. This topic emerged as a primary focus at a recent energy poverty roundtable convened by the conselleria and attended by social organizations, municipal groups, and Barcelona City Council. Although the Social Rights Minister did not attend, key figures such as the secretary general and the general manager of Social Services participated in the discussions. The meeting marked a spring-time return after a long gap, a period that coincided with cooler weather and rising energy costs driven by inflation.
Other urgent issues discussed included a proposed 17.9 million euro payment to be undertaken by the conselleria and the share of Endesa’s 41,000 vulnerable customers in Catalonia that might benefit from relief measures. To date, Endesa is noted as the only company that has begun to address some of the accumulated debts faced by vulnerable families. The roundtable also highlighted the potential extension of the electric social bond, which would reduce electric bills and was noted as a critical component since only a minority of vulnerable households in Catalonia currently receive electricity discounts.