Repsol YPF

How to act in the event of a power cut

It is during those periods each year when the temperatures approach the maximum or minimum levels, either due to the mass use of air conditioning or heating.

When there is a sharp increase in the demand for electricity. It is also due to this that, year after year, there are various problems with the electricity supply in certain parts of Spain. 
Electricity company clients have certain rights and can claim compensation for power cuts. According to recent data, domestic consumers represent 97% of subscribers, 73% of the power invoiced, almost half of the energy required and 58% of the billing total.
 
In principle, any consumer, company or institution can ask that the tension which passes through a point on the electricity grid be measured; it should not vary more than 7% with respect to that contracted. If it can be proven that there have been power cuts the client may request a percentage reduction of the total amount of their monthly bill, if they lasted more than an hour. This percentage increases by two percentage points for each additional hour or fraction of an hour.
 
Consumers Associations such as UCE-Extremadura and the Spanish Confederation of Housewives, Consumers and Users Organisations (CEACCU), among others, invite everyone affected by these power cuts to request that their company applies these reductions, and in the event that they refuse, that they appeal to the Department  of Industry for failure to apply the law.
 
In any case, all of these measures are perfectly compatible with legal proceedings to claim damages, such that you can claim everything from damaged electrical appliances to food that perished due to a lack of refrigeration. 
 
If the power cut affects an entire district or a wide area of any town, in order to provide proof and to be able to take the necessary measures at an institutional level, it is advisable that the councils concerned send a letter to the electricity company detailing the relationship between the power cuts and the problems caused as a result.
 
More sensible use
The Spanish Federation of Consumers in Action (FACUA) warns that it is statistically proven that in 75% of cases power cuts are the direct responsibility of electricity companies. In the remaining 25% they are caused by acts of force majeure, building works or third party issues.
 
In any case, it is advisable that every consumer knows that the least pollutant energy is that which is not consumed; there is no need to remember the green house effect to know that it is necessary to promote ecological culture. Today it is possible to opt for more sensible energy use without having to sacrifice a good standard of living by following a series of advice among which the sensible use of thermostats and the advantages of installing good insulation stand out.
 
Adding up the small individual savings can mean a significant overall saving.
 
How to claim?
The fact that some administrations impose sanctions on companies for power cuts does not compensate the individual consumer. As a result, consumers suffering a power cut should prove the damage caused and send an irrefutable claim, if possible by recorded fax delivery, to the company asking for compensation.
 
In the event that the claim has no effect you should go to consumer arbitration or instigate legal proceedings. For claims of less than 900 euros there is a verbal trial system which does not require a lawyer or attorney to be involved, and as such implies no cost for the consumer.
With the aim of formally taking an electricity company to court, various consumer associations have standard letters which help the consumer to manage it. Together with the letter they must attach a photocopy of the invoice and the corresponding bank slip in order to prove that the client has paid.
 
Then compensation for the damages caused by the power cut will be requested (to household appliances, computers, food, perishable goods, etc.) together with their financial value, endorsed by photocopies of the till receipts of the damaged goods, invoices or quotations for repairing damaged household appliances...
 
The letter should state that the amounts indicated are included in the hope of reaching an amicable agreement but that a subsequent higher claim will not be ruled out if the amount requested is not deducted from the next bill or credited to their bank account within 15 days.