Power standing charge (término de potencia)

What the término de potencia is

The término de potencia is the fixed part of your electricity bill, the Spanish version of a standing charge (a fixed customer charge in the US), but calculated per kW. You pay an amount for each kW of contracted power (potencia contratada) and for each day of the billing period, even if the home is empty.

How it is calculated

On the 2.0TD tariff there are two power periods: peak (P1) and off-peak (P2). For each one, multiply:

• the contracted kW,
• by the price per kW per day,
• by the days on the bill.

As a rough guide, the fixed cost of power is about 30 euros per kW per year on the 2.0TD, including network charges and the supplier’s margin. Going from 4.6 to 6.9 kW can therefore add about 70 euros a year just for having that power available.

Power charge and energy charge

• Power charge: fixed, depends on the kW contracted.
• Energy charge (término de energía): variable, depends on the kWh you use and when you use them.

Using less lowers the energy charge; adjusting your power lowers the power charge.

How to pay less

• Contract the power you actually use at the same time, not the total of all your appliances.
• The 2.0TD allows a different power in peak and off-peak: if you charge an EV at night, you may only need to raise the off-peak one.
• Use dynamic load balancing for the charger instead of raising your power.
• Check your maximum demand reading (maxímetro) before deciding.

See contracted power and tariff review in Seville, Spain.