Power Overuse Penalties in Spain: CNMC Redraws the Energy Playbook

For years, many businesses and households have lived comfortably contracting less electrical power than they actually consume. Why? Because penalties were manageable, and the correction factors applied by regulation softened the financial impact. But with Circular 1/2025, that’s over.

The CNMC has toughened the treatment of contracted power excesses: from now on, penalties will be harsher, more frequent, and less predictable for those who don’t align their contracts with their operational reality.

So, what exactly is changing?

Circular 1/2025, published in February 2025, introduces a new penalty calculation system for power overuse that will apply to all consumers on tariff 3.0 TD or higher.

The key changes:

• 15-minute interval readings: overuse is now measured with greater granularity — both when and how much.
• Removal of correction factors: penalties will no longer be softened if the excess occurs during off-peak hours.
• Stricter, uniform penalties: the cost overrun could be up to 200% higher for companies with irregular consumption patterns.

In short: what used to be a partial fine is now a full-blown penalty.
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Who is affected?

This change makes no distinction between households and businesses. All consumers with power contracted above 15 kW must rethink how they manage demand.

• Businesses with variable activity (hospitality, factories, workshops): could face significantly higher bills if they don’t align their contracted power with real consumption peaks.
• Households with EV chargers or high peak demand: will also need to pay close attention to avoid unpleasant surprises.
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Why does this matter?

This isn’t just a technical adjustment. It’s a paradigm shift: energy efficiency is no longer optional.
The regulator has made it clear — misusing the grid now has a real economic cost.

And in a sector moving toward digitization, automation, and real-time traceability, there’s no more room for improvisation.

The CNMC has spoken: the era of “we’ll adjust it later” is over.
The new energy landscape demands precision. And those who have it, will win.
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The new game: prevent, don’t react

In this context, informed consumers have three clear paths:

• Review your actual consumption. Contracted power can no longer be an arbitrary legacy number.
• Install energy control systems. Knowing how and when you consume is no longer a luxury — it's a necessity.
• Spread out consumption. Avoiding simultaneous device usage can mean the difference between savings and penalties.
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For those working with technology: this is an opportunity

At QUIXOTIC, we’re seeing how energy suppliers and large consumers rely on our tools to:

• Simulate contract scenarios and avoid overcharges.
• Detect real-time excesses with customizable alerts.
• Generate detailed reports to proactively renegotiate contracts.

Automating this process isn’t just an operational advantage — it’s the difference between maintaining your margin or watching it erode with every billing cycle.

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👉 Book a consultation with us and see how our Energy software helps you stay ahead of the market here.

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