Users will suffer again the mismanagement of our leaders

OCU denounces that the final cost that gas consumers will pay for the closure of the Castor facilities will amount to 4.731 million euros in 30 years. This figure will contribute to further increase the already hefty bill paid by Spanish consumers, one of the highest in Europe.

Last Friday, the government approved a royal decree allowing the closure of the gas storage facilities of Castor. The decree provides compensation of 1,350 million euros for the concessionaire of the ESCAL facility owned by the ACS group. This amount will be paid in principle by the transport company ENAGÁS but OCU warns that consumers will be  who end up paying that amount through their bill over the next 30 years, plus interest at 4.27% per annum, which will raise the amount finally paid by the consumers of gas to 4.731 million.

For OCU once again consumers are who ultimately will have to deal with the mismanagement of our leaders. Losses of a project clearly prejudicial to the public interest are socialized, but if it had been successful it would has primarily favored the private interest.

The consequences for consumers are clear, this new cost of 4.731 million increases gas bill. OCU remember that Spanish consumers are already among those who pay the most for the gas, and they continue climbing positions as a result of the rise in the bill caused by this measure. This new extra charge joins the tariff deficit of the electricity sector that users are already paying.

Few options remain for the consumer. OCU supports that users can save on their gas and electricity bills and therefore encourages consumers to join www.quieropagarmenosluz.org, the II collective purchase of energy which will try to offer consumers the best rate possible through an auction of energy, including gas and electricity.

For more information (media) Eva Jimenez Tel. 917 226 061 prensa@ocu.org