OCU asks to investigate the price escalation in electricity coinciding with the cold spell

Far from calming the escalation of prices in the electric market. Today prices in the wholesale electricity market are recovering above 90 € MWh. These prices are similar to those in December 2013 that resulted in the sanction of Iberdrola for manipulating the electricity market. Iberdrola was sanctioned for voluntarily reducing its hydroelectric production capacity so that the best offer would cause the market to become more expensive. OCU demands that this price escalation be investigated if in addition to the high electricity consumption and rising oil prices, in a seasonal context of low renewable production, there are other elements that are explaining this strong increase. 

OCU notes that while the price of light rises, the social bond is stagnant. This strong increase is being transferred directly to customers with a PVPC rate and will therefore also affect customers who benefit from Social Security with a 25% discount on their bill. Similarly, customers in the free market should be aware of their contract revisions (the annual majority) as they may include significant rises and it is interesting to look for alternatives in the market. OCU invites consumers to consult this tariff comparator for free for the cheapest options https://www.ocu.org/vivienda-y-energia/gas-luz/calculadora/gas-electricidad/?landingpage

OCU recalls that the Social Bono, which is for the moment the only tool of the electrical system to address the problems of energy poverty, will be reformed soon. And the latest news about it is also not good because far from worrying about reaching the social bond to the thousands of households that do not benefit from it despite being in critical situations (for example, only 50,000 homes enjoy it for being all Members of their home unemployed), the news that arrives has to do more with the possible expulsion or limitation of discounts for some of the current beneficiaries.