Many people considering moving to Spain permanently,
have on previous visits to the country found the electricity
supplies somewhat lacking. Today, the situation is much improved,
with continuity far better than it ever was. However, it still
fails from time to time, although usually only for a minute
or two at the most. Heavy rain, of which there is not much
for most of the time, seems to play a part.
Many of the power failures experienced
in Spain are caused by foreign users and not the generating
authorities. When you first arrive in Spain it will be necessary
to contract with the appropriate utility for the delivery of
electrical power. The price you will pay for your electricity
is determined by two factors: the amount you use and the size
of the supply you wish to be constantly available for your use.
Unlike the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland,
where you can draw through the mains as much as the wiring will
handle, in Spain you have to accurately predict what your maximum
use is likely to be. A reasonably large villa would require
a power supply of about 5.7 Kilowatts, an apartment, about 3.5
Kw.
You may think this is a relatively small amount
of power. In relation to the UK and ROI it is, but here in Spain,
unless you cook and heat water with electricity, there is little
else to use it on. Televisions, occasional kettle use, hair
dryers etc., do not consume a great deal of electricity for
long periods. www.orihuela-costa.eu
The larger the standing
supply requested, the more you will pay for your electricity.
Both in standing charges and units consumed. Before you think,
as most of us did, of declaring a smaller wattage in
order to take advantage of cheaper costs, it is necessary to
understand that each supply is controlled by thermal cut-outs
which simply switch the power off if it goes beyond the requested
amount for a couple of minutes or so. This phenomena is often
attributed to power failures by those who don't understand the
system. Not so! |
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