The Catalan economist Santiago Niño Becerra has predicted that with the decision of Pedro Sánchez's government to set minimum air-con temperatures to 25 degrees, restaurant turnover will drop significantly. The economist explained his experience. "Today I was in a restaurant in a town in Spain. Temperature outside 28 degrees; inside 25 degrees. Humidity outside 75%; inside 65%. Unbearable. I think that the turnover of restaurants, if they respect the regulations, will suffer serious falls", he indicated.
Hoy he estado es un restaurante en una localidad de ESP. Temperatura exterior 28ºC; interior 25ºC. Humedad exterior 75%; interior: 65%. Insoportable. Pienso que la facturación de los restaurantes, si respetan la normativa, descenderá mucho.
— Santiago Niño (@sninobecerra) August 10, 2022
This Wednesday, August 10th saw the entry into force across Spain of a package of energy-saving measures while the country baked in one of the hottest summers on record. The intention, as the government announced is to reduce gas consumption by 7%, a figure agreed with fellow EU member states in Brussels, but a level lower than most of them will be applying, due to Spain's reduced integration into the European gas network. The measure that has attracted the most attention is the one that limits air conditioning temperatures in summer in shops, public offices, transport centres and cultural facilities to a minimum of 27 degrees Celsius by default, although bars, restaurants and some other facilities will be able to apply a minimum of 25 degrees. In winter, the same government decree will limit heating to a maximum of 19 degrees C. The regulations also require buildings using air conditioning and heating to use doors with automatic closing mechanisms, and for lighting in shop windows and unoccupied public buildings to be switched off overnight.
These measures are intended to be in effect until November 1st, 2023 - over 15 months. However, as the minister Teresa Ribera detailed, since the norms are likely to be revised and extended during the month of September, the duration may also change according to the needs and context of the moment. The Spanish government, explained the third deputy PM, believes it is essential to put some of these measure into action immediately and not wait for the return from holidays, given the exceptional situation of the energy crisis.
In the case of Barcelona, the publication of the municipal gazette of Friday August 5th states that the lights-out in all municipal buildings must occur either at the end of the working day or, at the latest, at 9pm.