This ministerial council will confirm on Tuesday a new package of measures designed to cut energy bills for consumers, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. An additional mobilization of 3,000 million euros will help protect 40% of Spanish households.
Among the measures announced last week by Head of Government Pedro Sánchez is the creation of a regulated rate, TUR, for neighborhood communities with centralized gas boilers. Until now these groups could not opt for such rates. The new option is more affordable than free market tariffs, because it targets consumption levels beyond the standard cap of 50,000 kilowatt‑hours per year.
This newly adjusted rate will be valid through the end of 2023 and, according to the Executive Board, will allow about 1.7 million households to cut their bills by more than half by limiting quarterly price increases, similar to existing regulated schemes.
Social bonus extended
The electricity social bonus will be expanded, increasing discounts from 60% to 65% for vulnerable consumers and from 70% to 80% for severely vulnerable groups. Before the energy crisis, the discounts stood at 25% and 40%, respectively, highlighting the steady growth in support for those most affected.
The amount of energy eligible for the discount is raised by 15%, up to 1,587 kilowatt hours per year for minors; 2,221 kWh for households with dependents and pensioners; 2,697.9 kWh for households with two young children; and 4,140 kWh for large families, ensuring broader relief across family sizes.
A new consumer category is also being created, granting a 40% discount on bills for low income working households, benefiting another 1.5 million families.
Teresa Ribera, the third vice president and minister for Ecological Transition, explained in an interview with Cadena Ser that single people earning up to 16,000 euros annually, couples earning 20,000 euros, or families earning 28,000 euros, will fall within this new relief framework.
Finally, the thermal social bonus for vulnerable households is set to double in 2022 and 2023, raising the average benefit to about 375 euros per household and increasing the minimum payment to 40 euros from the current 35 euros, expanding coverage and support in line with ongoing energy pressures [Source: Government of Spain].