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Date Published: 09/08/2022

ARCHIVED - Lights out: Spain refuses to budge on energy-saving plan despite controversy

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Public buildings in Spain will have to limit air-conditioning temperatures and lighting displays in shops and monuments will be switched off at 10pm

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Lights out: Spain refuses to budge on energy-saving plan despite controversy

Spain’s controversial measures to save energy have gained international notoriety in the last few days and despite the fact that several autonomous communities are up in arms, the government has stuck to its guns and will roll out the restrictions from Wednesday August 10.

In just a few hours, shop display windows and illuminated monuments and buildings will have to shut off the lights at 10pm but by far the most contentious point refers to air-conditioning: most public premises and public transport will not be allowed to lower the air-conditioning below 27ºC from Wednesday morning, and come winter, heaters will be subject to similar restrictions.

In a spectacular u-turn a the beginning of the week, the government did concede that some businesses, like bars and restaurants, gyms and hairdressers, could reduce their air-conditioning to a slightly cooler 25ºC to comply with labour laws.

In addition, thermometers will have to be placed in public places so that they are clearly visible and from September 30, automatically closing doors will need to be installed anywhere that uses air-conditioning.

The energy-saving plan does not apply to private homes in Spain.

The measures have been met with widespread disapproval, and Madrid is actually taking the Spanish government to the Constitutional Court. Andalucia has asked the central administration for more leeway in implementing the restrictions while in Murcia, regional authorities have demanded that the entire Decree be scrapped.

On the other hand, the Minister of Sustainable Economy of the Valencian Community, Rafa Climent, has welcomed the energy-saving plan, insisting that it “is not a coercive norm” but rather a flexible arrangement that “will help make citizens aware of the importance of energy efficiency.”

"We have a commitment to Europe," a government spokesperson insisted, to reduce gas consumption by 7% in the threat of a supply cut by Russia this winter. It is estimated that these measures alone could generate a saving of around 4-5%, which should go a long way towards dealing with “Putin’s blackmail.”

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