Spanish households can cut electricity bills by adjusting contracted power

Many Spanish homes pay a fixed charge for the maximum electrical power they have contracted, even when it is not needed. The CNMC estimates that six out of ten households have contracted more power than they actually use, which can add 20 %–40 % to the total bill.

Consumers can lower this cost by checking the contracted power shown on their bill and comparing it with the highest demand recorded in recent months. Reducing excess capacity reduces the fixed portion of the invoice, while keeping enough power to avoid interruptions when multiple appliances run simultaneously. The new billing structure also allows separate peak‑and‑off‑peak power levels, which can be useful for homes with electric vehicles or night‑time consumption.

Experts advise households to monitor real usage, avoid “just in case” over‑contracting, and use measures such as smart power strips to cut standby consumption, which can represent up to 10 % of annual electricity use.