The March electricity bill will bring a surprise for more than one. VAT will once again be 21% on electricity bills, but not everyone will notice it in the same way, since being in the regulated or free market will mark the destiny of consumers.
Wholesale market prices have left behind the peaks of the energy crises after the invasion of Ukraine. Such is the decline that has deactivated the great anti-inflation aid in the light, with the return of VAT to its normal values. “With the emergence of renewables, the price curve is being different and will be different from what we have known,” says Antonio Aceituno, CEO of the consulting firm Tempos Energía. With this, renewables, with lower costs in the pool, “take control of prices.” In March, historical minimum prices are being experienced for the consumer thanks to the fact that they contribute 85% to the energy mix, with water and wind as the protagonists, “something we have never seen before.”
Those who directly benefit are those in the regulated market (PVPC), which take these daily, variable and not fixed prices as a reference. Although taxation increases, electricity is cheaper and will notice a more moderate increase than the customer who is in the free, where the price is fixed and the same until the contract is renewed. “With a fixed price rate, the most important thing is the moment in which it is contracted, because the futures markets are taken as a reference,” comments the expert. “They will notice the increase in VAT because they contracted in another temporary window,” with higher prices than those we see today.
The eternal doubt arises. Is the regulated or free rate better today? “Right now I would recommend the regulated rate, it is the most competitive,” he believes. The one that best captures those lowest prices: even the hours that in the regulated market could be more expensive, such as from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., in the last week have been seen at 0 euros per megawatt in the wholesale market. If in previous years April used to be the cheapest month, now that situation occurs at the end of February or March. “There are many possibilities that if renewables behave like this we will see an even cheaper April. Given these very low prices, the VAT increase will not be noticeable,” Aceituno reiterates. Although the same habits will leave bills lower, it must be taken into account that in the regulated segment there is greater volatility and prices may vary.
In the Kelisto comparator they are clear. You should always try to change to the cheapest rates. “It is a bit lazy to understand the concepts of the bill, but once we master them it is a free procedure, which can save us hundreds of euros without noticing a change in the service,” explains Javier Martínez, energy spokesperson for the website.
The regulated also provides greater flexibility if there is the possibility of scheduling or delaying consumption. “If we have a rate with cheaper and more expensive hours, we can try to shift some consumption to the most affordable sections, without it entailing a great sacrifice,” explains Martínez. Washing machines or dishwashers at cheap times make a difference. Or incorporate a smart plug, which programs the hours when devices such as a water heater operate.
If you don’t want to move, there are plenty of tips to save in the same context. For no or minimal cost, great changes can be achieved. Kelisto calculates a saving of 64 euros per year by lowering the heating by two degrees, 20 euros by turning off the devices on standby or 25 euros by regularly removing frost from the freezer. Even choosing LED bulbs well can mean a cut of 210 euros, according to their figures.
Those who have an electric social bonus are also saved from the tax impact, as they will have a VAT of 10% throughout the year, so their bills will come with the same base.