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The PVPC regulated tariff (or Voluntary Price for the Small Consumer) is a system to determine the price of electricity it was implemented by the Government for all customers in the regulated electricity market. Its most singular feature is the way in which the price for electricity production is calculated.
With the PVPC tariff, just as for the deregulated market, the electricity bill still has three main components:
- The price for producing electricity: this essentially affects the consumption term and is what differentiates between the two markets.
- Access tariffs: these are established by the Government to cover what it costs to transport energy from the plants to your home and other costs associated with maintaining the electricity grid.
- Taxes: special tax on electricity (IEE in Spanish) and VAT.
What does the PVPC Tariff consist of?
This is a tariff with variable prices according to time bands. In other words, the price of per kWh of electricity changes for every hour of each day. This means that the price is subject to the volatility of the electricity market, depending on the supply and demand between the energy generating companies and the retailers that sell that energy to the consumer.
Upward and downward trends also have an impact on prices, for example, fluctuating prices for raw materials such as natural gas and oil.
Time bands on the PVPC regulated market
Previously, the PVPC tariff had two modalities for the energy consumed: a fixed price tariff or time discrimination between 2 and 3 bands. In 2021, it was rolled into a single tariff with 3 different time bands, the so-called 2.0TD tariff, which is characterised by: off-peak hours, peak hours and standard hours.
Off-peak hours
The off-peak hours are the cheapest time band for electricity and correspond to the hours between midnight and 8am, as well as 24 hours-a-day at weekends and on national public holidays.
Peak hours
Peak hours are the times of day when you’ll pay more for electricity consumption. This time band applies Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 22:00.
Standard hours
Standard hours fall in the intermediate price band. This time band applies Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 10:00, 14:00 to 18:00, and 22:00 to midnight.
Time bands for contracted power
Prior to the new legislation, you could only choose one contracted power for all your home's electricity consumption. Now you can choose between two in order to reduce your electricity bill:
- Off-peak, the cheapest time band: from midnight to 8am, as well as 24 hours a day during weekends and on national public holidays.
- Peak hours, the most expensive time band: from Monday to Friday between 10.00 and 14.00 and between 18.00 and 22.00.
How are prices calculated and applied in the PVPC regulated tariff?
The PVPC regulated tariff has a price per kWh that changes every hour of each day depending on supply and demand. This means that invoices will never be the same and it is impossible to know what the price will be in advance.
These prices are calculated by Red Eléctrica de España (REE) and are applied based on the hourly prices of energy in the market.
Prices are published daily on the Red Eléctrica Española website.
To apply these fluctuating prices to your bill, there are two options depending on your circumstances:
1. If you already have a smart meter
It is possible to know how many kWh you consume each hour of each day by telematic means. In this case, you simply have to apply the prices that are communicated by Red Eléctrica Española.
2. If you do not yet have a smart meter
There are now very few cases where supply points do not yet have a smart meter. However, in these cases it is impossible to know how many kWh you consume each hour, so the profile for an average consumer is applied (this is created by Red Eléctrica Española).
To which customers does the PVPC model apply?
The PVPC tariff is available to consumers connected to low-voltage electricity grids with a contracted power of 10 kW or less. Since January 1, 2024, only private individuals and microenterprises are eligible for the PVPC tariff.
The regulated PVPC tariff has no minimum contract term and is only offered by government-authorised reference suppliers.
What possibilities does the PVPC tariff offer you?
First and foremost, as a consumer you can choose whether you want to be on the regulated market or on the deregulated market.
On the deregulated market there are all kinds of electricity tariffs and electricity companies, and you will pay the price per kWh that is established in the contract for each hour.
You can always use an electricity tariff comparer to find out which tariff model best suits your lifestyle or specific requirements.
FAQs about the regulated market
Where can I check hourly electricity prices?
If you're on a regulated market electricity tariff (PVPC) and you want to know how the price of electricity changes throughout the day, check here with Endesa.
How do I know my hourly electricity consumption?
The electricity you consume accounts for about half of what you pay on your bill. The rest goes to contracted power and various taxes. For more information, we recommend this content on how to fully understand your electricity bill.
There is a price per kWh. This price can be the same for every hour of the day and every day of the week, or it can be higher or lower depending on the time and day. This depends on the tariff you have signed up for. In Endesa’s catalogue, you'll find electricity tariffs tailored to your profile.
What is the PVPC with an annual fixed price?
This is a price set by reference suppliers, and it is published in advance. Once you sign up for it, it remains fixed for 12 months. It may be more expensive, but you’ll know exactly what you’re paying, so variations on your bill will depend solely on your level of consumption. After 12 months, the price may change, and you’ll need to explicitly request to renew it.
The fixed prices set by all reference suppliers are published on the website of the National Commission for Markets and Competition.
Can I opt for Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing with a PVPC tariff?
Yes, you can. If you choose time-of-use pricing, the average consumer profile will be applied to the different time bands included in this tariff. This applies to both peak hours (higher electricity price) and off-peak hours (lower electricity price).
What is the fixed price in the regulated market?
It’s an annual fixed price set by the government-appointed suppliers, and it is officially published on the website of the National Commission for Markets and Competition.
This price remains unchanged for 12 months, regardless of fluctuations in the wholesale market.
Is a free market product cheaper than the PVPC (formerly TUR)?
Currently, free market products are not always cheaper than the PVPC (formerly TUR). The best choice will depend on your daily electricity consumption habits, the stability you need, and the terms of your contract.
If you’re looking for stability and don’t want to worry about time bands, the free market might be the better choice. However, if you can adjust your consumption to more affordable hours and want access to the social bonus, the PVPC is likely the more suitable choice.
What does ‘average consumer profile’ mean?
It’s a consumption model or pattern used by Red Eléctrica de España (REE) to calculate PVPC electricity prices. It reflects how customers typically distribute their electricity use throughout the day.
What is a free market supplier?
A free market supplier is a company that buys energy from the generator, pays the distributor for transmission, and then sells the electricity to the end consumer.
In other words, your supplier is the company you sign your electricity or gas contract with, the one that bills you, and the one you contact for any changes, updates, or questions about your contract.
Consumers have the right to freely choose the supplier that provides their electricity. Switching suppliers does not involve any changes to your installation or interruptions to your supply.
In the following content, we explain the differences between suppliers and distributors, what each of them does, and who to contact in each case.
What advantages does a free market tariff with Endesa offer compared to a regulated market tariff (reference supplier)?
There are differences between the two markets, so it’s up to you to choose the one that best suits your priorities.
Below, we outline the most important differences between the two:
PVPC (regulated market): Its biggest advantage is also its main drawback: the price per kWh changes every day and every hour. As a result, the price is subject to the volatility of the electricity market.
The price is also affected by (upward or downward) trends in the electricity market due to external factors (e.g., the price of raw materials like oil or natural gas).
The regulated PVPC tariff is only offered by certain suppliers that cannot sell energy in the free market or provide other services.
It has no minimum contract term and it can only be contracted if your power is 10 kW or less.
Free market tariffs: Free market tariffs can include discounts, combine services (electricity + gas), and offer greater stability for the consumer. You’ll know in advance what you’re going to pay.
Keep in mind that free market tariffs aren’t fixed forever; they are periodically reviewed to account for regulatory costs, CPI updates, and other factors.
I have the PVPC tariff. Should I switch?
You can switch from one market to the other. That’s exactly what market liberalisation is about: giving you the freedom to choose. All consumers can switch electricity markets whenever they want.
The free market is open to anyone who wants to move away from the PVPC tariff. And those in the free market can switch to the regulated market, as long as their contracted power does not exceed 10 kW.
If you’re interested in switching, the One Tariff offers an indefinite discount on the standing charge. The price is lower, and you’ll also avoid potential price fluctuations of the PVPC tariff caused by market changes.
With the One Tariff you can contract only what you need, with no obligation to add extra services, though you have the option to do so if you wish.
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You don't need to adapt to Endesa's tariffs because they adapt to you. If you go to our catalogue you can compare the different tariffs for yourself. Or if you prefer, you can answer a few questions and we will take care of comparing all the different electricity and gas tariffs and then make a customised recommendation.
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You don't need to adapt to Endesa's tariffs because they adapt to you. If you go to our catalogue you can compare the different tariffs for yourself. Or if you prefer, you can answer a few questions and we will take care of comparing all the different electricity and gas tariffs and then make a customised recommendation.
Comparison of Electricity and Gas Tariffs
You don't need to adapt to Endesa's tariffs because they adapt to you. If you go to our catalogue you can compare the different tariffs for yourself. Or if you prefer, you can answer a few questions and we will take care of comparing all the different electricity and gas tariffs and then make a customised recommendation.
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