Spain’s electricity market shows cheap midday rates and costly night spikes

Hourly wholesale electricity prices in Spain’s market displayed a pronounced pattern in early August 2025‑2026. The cheapest price each day fell around 13:00‑14:00, reaching as low as 1.83 €/MWh on 6 August and 7.76 €/MWh on 7 August, while the most expensive periods occurred at night, peaking between 21:00‑22:00 with values above 170 €/MWh (206 €/MWh on 6 August).

The price spread exceeded 200 €/MWh in some hours, reflecting high solar and wind generation that depresses midday rates and limited demand at night that drives prices up. Analysts note that the growing share of renewable power – 56.6 % of total generation in 2025 – increases the need for storage and flexible demand to smooth these fluctuations. Consumers are advised to shift high‑consumption appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers to the midday window to lower electricity bills, and to avoid heavy use during the night‑time peaks.