Government offices, businesses, shopping centers and transportation authorities are preparing a package of urgent steps to save energy and cut electricity costs. The plan is set to receive approval from the Council of Ministers on Monday.
The goal is to keep summer air conditioning in buildings, workplaces and vehicles above 27 degrees while winter heating should not exceed 19 degrees, according to sources familiar with the measures cited by Europa Press.
The government will approve an emergency package of measures to save energy and lower the electricity bill on Monday.
This first precautionary package targets the private sector but is not expected to be binding on households at the outset, and the state aims to implement it through partial energy saving actions across administrative and public sector buildings.
The executive plans to streamline on-off schedules for air conditioning, ventilation, domestic hot water, lighting and equipment installations to reduce energy use in office buildings and energy-consuming devices. The objective is for the General State Administration and state-owned enterprises to contribute to the broader energy efficiency plan approved last May.
Among the measures is the promotion of photovoltaic installations for self-consumption in eligible buildings, with potential subsidies. It is worth noting that on Friday the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) adopted a set of steps to simplify procedures for contracting electricity self-consumption in Spain. The aims are to boost renewable energy, decrease carbon emissions and intensify competition in the retail market.
Specifically, the regulator simplified administrative processes for contracting, billing and resolving claims for low-power and bulk self-consumption.
The package will also encourage the efficient use of buildings and efforts to maintain optimal occupancy levels.
Details on whether the plan will include a stronger push for teleworking to shrink energy use from commuting and within the workplace remain unclear. Still, the government is expected to commit to promoting public transport and other sustainable mobility options. Cercanías, operated by Renfe, may offer free travel from September 1 to December 31 this year, while toll discounts for Rodalies and medium-distance trains could reach 100% during the same period, leveraging a government initiative to support affordable travel.
Additionally, cycling will be encouraged by providing better parking facilities as part of a broader shift toward sustainable transport options.
The government hopes these measures will help Spain meet its EU agreement to cut gas consumption by 7%, reducing dependence on gas from abroad and strengthening energy resilience.
The executive developed this plan after consultations with Teresa Ribera, the Third Vice-President and Minister of Ecological Transition, and with input from consumer groups, energy companies, social representatives and parliamentary members in recent days. The proposal also suggests replacing gas with other fuels where possible and advancing electrification of demand alongside increased use of renewable energy.
These measures align with the European Union’s strategy to guard against gas supply shocks from Russia, aiming to keep energy secure and affordable for households and businesses alike. On July 13, Ribera noted that Spain has been in a relatively stronger position thanks to diversified gas sources, regasification capacity, and high levels of underground storage, which reached 72% and LNG storage around 80%. Still, she emphasized a careful approach to ensure energy efficiency and savings through smarter use of resources, and a commitment to sustainable practices that support broader climate and economic goals.