As from July 1st households that make the most of cheaper night-time electricity tariffs will start to pay more for their power. The Ministry of Industry has decided to abolish the night-time system that has been in operation for the last 25 years. Customers opting for this service (some 40,000 households in Malaga) pay 55 per cent less for electricity used between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. in exchange for a small increase of three per cent during the day. Nevertheless the Ministry is to substitute this offer with an alternative. This increases the number of hours with cheaper power from eight to 14, but reduces the discount to 47 per cent, increasing the daytime surcharge to 35 per cent. Consumers’ associations claim the changes, which could increase some bills by 80 per cent, are unconstitutional and have called for the Ombudsman to intervene.

Regards