FAQ
Can I increase my contracted power (potencia) without a new boletín in Spain?
Yes, you can increase your power without a new boletín if the registered boletín for your home allows the power you want and is less than 20 years old: just ask your supplier. If the new power exceeds what your boletín shows, or it is older, the distributor will require a new one from a registered installer.
It depends on two figures
Your potencia contratada (contracted power, in kW) is the most your home can draw at once. To know whether you can raise it without a new boletín (electrical certificate), look at two things on the one you already have:
- The maximum admissible power (potencia máxima admisible): what your installation can carry given its cable sizes and protective devices. If you ask for that power or less, nothing needs touching.
- The date: if it is less than 20 years old the distributor usually accepts it; if older, expect to be asked for a new one.
How to check
Look on your boletín for the maximum admissible power or the rating of the main switch. If you cannot find it or have no boletín, an electrician can work it out by checking the individual supply line (derivación individual, the cable from the meter to your fuse board) and the main switch. Then you know whether one call to your supplier is enough or work is needed.
If a boletín is needed
The electrician checks the installation and adapts what the new power requires: sometimes just the main switch, sometimes the supply line or the fuse board. Then they issue the boletín and file it with the regional Industry department. As a rough guide, the boletín costs 70 to 300 euros, plus the distributor’s fees for the increase and any upgrade work.
Before raising it: do you really need it?
Each extra kW costs about 30 euros a year in fixed charges on the 2.0TD tariff. Before you do it, consider:
- Spreading your use: not running oven, hob and air conditioning at the same time.
- Raising only off-peak power: the 2.0TD tariff lets you contract a different power for peak and night (valle) hours, very useful if you charge a car overnight.
- Load balancing for an EV charger: the car uses only the power left over.
A sign you are short of power
If the whole house goes dark when you switch on several appliances and everything in your fuse board is still up, the ICP (power limiter) at the meter has tripped: you are exceeding your contracted power. It is the classic first-week experience for many newcomers to Spain.
In Seville, Spain, we handle it on increase contracted power and issue the certificate on electrical certificate (boletín).
Related services
Increase contracted power
You need to increase your electricity power in Spain when the smart meter cuts everything off as soon as the air conditioning, the oven and the washing machine run together. We check what power your installation can take, upgrade the supply cable, main switch and fuse board if needed, and issue the boletín so the distributor approves the increase.
Electrical certificate (boletín)
The electrical certificate in Spain, known by everyone as the boletín and officially the CIE (certificado de instalación eléctrica), is the document a registered installer company signs to confirm that your installation meets the regulations. You need it to connect the electricity, increase your power or change the account holder with an old installation. We inspect, certify and register it with the Junta de Andalucía in Seville.
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Need an electrician in Seville, Spain?
Call us or send a WhatsApp message with a photo of the job. You get a fixed quote before any work starts.