Electricity prices on the Spanish wholesale market drop to zero or even below zero for eight hours a day, mainly at night. However, end-user bills do not fully reflect this cheaper energy. Experts point to rigid fixed costs in the system, including network fees and taxes, which constitute the majority of the final price. Spanish media publish detailed hourly tariffs daily to help consumers plan their usage and save money.

Electricity prices on the Spanish wholesale market regularly drop to zero and even become negative for a significant part of the day. This phenomenon, particularly visible at night and in the early morning, is the result of an oversupply of energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar. Although the wholesale price of energy is zero for eight hours a day, end consumers do not see proportional benefits on their bills. The main reason is the structure of the final energy price for the consumer. As experts explain, the cost of the energy itself is only one of several components of the bill. A much larger portion consists of rigid, regulated fees for using the distribution and transmission networks, various taxes, and subsidies for the renewable energy support system. These fixed costs do not depend on the fluctuating price on the energy exchange. Therefore, even when energy is „free” in wholesale terms, the consumer still pays for the infrastructure that enables its delivery. The Spanish energy system has undergone a significant transformation over the last two decades, focusing on wind and solar power. In 2024, renewable sources already accounted for over half of the country's electricity production. This structure of the energy mix, while beneficial for the environment, introduces high variability into the system due to its dependence on weather conditions. Spanish newspapers, such as „El Mundo” and „La Razón”, publish detailed hourly tariffs for the next day daily. This data is intended to help households plan their consumption. According to analyses from February 25, 2026, the cheapest hours occur at night and early morning, between 3:00 and 6:00, when the price per megawatt-hour drops to zero. Conversely, peak hours, such as 9:00-10:00 PM, are characterized by the highest prices, reaching up to 100 euros per MWh. Experts advise performing energy-intensive tasks, like laundry or charging an electric vehicle, precisely during these cheapest time slots. <wykres-liniowy tytuł=