energy-saving strategy and the plan ahead
Teresa Ribera, the Third Vice President and Minister of Ecological Transition, indicates that an Energy Contingency Plan will receive Cabinet approval next Tuesday. The aim is to ensure that austerity measures already endorsed by the government will help shave consumption by about 3.6 percent compared with the five-year average. In a conversation with Efe, Ribera described the plan, which Brussels has urged all member states to adopt, as nearly ready. Officials chose to be prudent and postponed a formal briefing for Friday’s Extraordinary Council of Energy Ministers.
Ribera emphasized the need to define the measures that can be enacted this Friday. Approximately twenty-seven options are under consideration, including proposals to curb gas prices at the European level and set a target to reduce electricity consumption, thereby completing the national strategy framework. As she framed it, the plan is a strategic document designed to clearly outline the challenges facing the Spanish energy system in the current climate, focusing on price stability rather than disruptions in supply.
Regarding the measures contained in the plan, Ribera noted that there would be multiple drafts, all staying within broad consensus areas identified in recent discussions with sector representatives, social groups, political actors, and civil society organizations. She also stressed that the plan would be implemented without imposing direct savings obligations on households. The objective, as explained by the manager, is to protect consumers and the industrial base while maintaining resilience in the economy.
energy-saving
Before unveiling the plan, the government approved a strategy that included energy-saving rules such as regulating thermostats in certain buildings and temporarily closing shop windows during the summer to curb consumption. These measures have been in effect since August 10 and have already produced noticeable results. From that date through last week, overall consumption stood 3.6 percent below the average for the same period in the previous five years.
In addition, the savings anticipated from the Spanish plan were projected at 6.4 percent, short of the government’s initial 7 percent commitment to Brussels. Ribera, expressing a sense of pragmatic optimism, thanked citizens for their cooperation during a historically hot period and urged everyone to understand and apply the suggested measures with precision. The minister also signaled readiness to continue refining and extending these measures to maximize positive outcomes for productive sectors and families alike.
Ribera stressed that the objective remains to weather the current energy phase without imposing undue hardship. She spoke of moving forward with tests and adjustments that can strengthen the economy and help households stay insulated from volatility while preserving the capacity of the industrial system to adapt and thrive.
not looking for a sanctions framework
When asked about sanctions applied by autonomous communities for non-compliance with current measures, Ribera described the savings plan as part of a broader system rather than a punitive regime. She argued that it is not standard to activate a sanction-based decree-law aimed at mobilizing saving capacity across the economy, noting there is valid concern about excessive consumption.
She praised the stance of communities and city councils for not resorting to sanctions or fines, praising their role in helping residents who feel uncertain or overwhelmed to navigate the new measures. The ministry has received inquiries from small businesses seeking guidance on implementation, particularly regarding the automatic door-closing devices that must be installed before October 1.