OCU warns of 54% increase in regulated gas bills this October

The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has warned that regulated gas bills (Tarifa de Último Recurso – TUR) could increase by 54% starting October 1. For an average household with heating consuming 9,000 kWh annually, this would raise the yearly bill from approximately 600 euros to around 910 euros.

The price per kWh for the TUR 2 category—common for domestic heating—is estimated to rise from 4.12 to roughly 6.95 cents. While the energy cost itself may rise by nearly 69%, the total bill impact is projected at 54% due to fixed costs, taxes, and meter rentals.

The increase is attributed to the calculation method for the regulated tariff. During the final quarter of the year, seasonal gas futures account for nearly 47% of procurement costs. High market prices for these futures are driving the spike. Despite the rise, the OCU advises consumers not to switch to the free market prematurely, noting that the TUR often remains at least 22% cheaper than the best fixed-price offers.