Like every year, there will be two time changes in Spain during 2024, one in March to switch to daylight saving time and another in October to return to standard time. These changes involve moving clocks forward or backward by an hour and have been the subject of debate regarding their effectiveness in energy savings and their economic impact.
The “daylight saving time period” is defined as the part of the year when clocks are set forward by sixty minutes compared to the rest of the year, covering spring and summer. This practice became widespread after the 1973 oil crisis as a way to better utilize daylight hours and save energy. Italy and Malta were the first European countries to adopt this method, with other countries following. In 2000, the time change became mandatory in the European Union.
However, the effectiveness of the time change in terms of energy savings is questionable. The European Commission estimates savings to be between 0.1% and 0.2% of annual electric consumption, while the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) lacks available data on this aspect.
Regarding economic impact, economic experts state that it can be said – though not very emphatically – that it does not have a significant effect. There are varied figures on potential savings from the time change, but currently, it does not make much sense, neither for agriculture, the hourly price of electricity, nor energy efficiency. “It has no impact and is very trivial.”
An expert explains that while it’s true that the time change can make use of sunlight in the evening or morning, the light saved in the morning is then spent in the evening, or vice versa, meaning there’s no real energy efficiency when considering consumption over an entire day. “In reality, you’re just shifting an expense or a saving,” and adds that “nowadays, the only benefit of the time change is taking advantage of natural daylight, rather than artificial light.”
The public opinion on the time change is also not very favorable. According to a survey published by La Vanguardia in 2023, the majority of Spaniards believe that the time change does not benefit them, neither economically nor in general. Furthermore, a CIS study reveals that 67.1 percent of Spaniards want to “end the time change,” compared to 22.2 percent who prefer to “continue as is.”
In this context, it’s important to highlight that a good way to save on electricity bills in spring and summer is to choose a provider that offers electricity at cost price. During times of higher energy production, the benefits may not necessarily translate to a lower bill during the warmer months, so opting for a cost price tariff can be a smart strategy for consumers.
In conclusion, the time change in Spain continues to be a topic of debate regarding its effectiveness in energy savings and its economic impact. While some studies suggest minimal savings, other experts question its relevance today. Public opinion also seems to lean towards eliminating this practice. Nonetheless, consumers can explore alternatives, such as cost price tariffs, to optimize their electricity bills during spring and summer.
