Spain COVID plan energy and restrictions

Barcelona — Spanish government guarantees energy supplies during 15-day lockdown

Spain's government said it will guarantee the supply of electricity, gas and petroleum products through the 15-day state of emergency that was officially declared Saturday.

The authorities, via the ministries of defense, interior, transport and health, are permitted to take the necessary measures to guarantee fuel supplies, according to Royal Decree 463/2020 on Saturday.

Additionally, travel and other activity has been restricted to essential needs with public transport, including air travel, cut in half for the period as the country looks to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Royal Decree covers the whole of Spain and its offshore territories for a period of 15 days and may be extended.

Under the actions sanctioned, the government may directly assume command of generation, transport and distribution, change stock level obligations, temporarily suspend the power market, and intervene in matters of pricing and rationing, if required. Renewable incentives can also be withheld.

Spanish energy companies have all carried out measures to ensure that supply lines are not impacted. These include remote working for employees, the establishment of additional control centers and automated transactions at fuel retail stations, among others.

Spanish law obliges 92 days of stocks in terms of petroleum products -- 50 days held by operations and 42 days held by the strategic reserve corporation CORES -- as well as 20 days worth of LPG, and 20 days supply of natural gas.