Spain Restricts Air Condition Use, Impose New Energy Saving Rules

Spain started imposing new energy-saving rules in public spaces on Wednesday as part of the European Union's efforts to reduce reliance on Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine.

Under the government decree, air conditioning must be turned down and set at no lower than 27 degrees Celsius (80.6 degrees Fahrenheit) during the warmest months of the year.

The rules affects everything from public transport to shops, offices, theatres and cinemas.

The legislation also affects heating in winter, when temperatures can be set no higher than 19 degrees Celsius.

Joan Groizard, head of the Energy Savings and Diversification Institute at Spain's ecology ministry said; "The plan's aim is to save gas for the winter in case (Russian President Vladimir) Putin decides to cut off gas supplies to Europe as a result of sanctions.

"That scenario could make this winter very difficult."

The legislation also requires that from 10 p.m. shops switch off window-display lighting in a move that also affects the illumination of public buildings.

By the end of September, any air-conditioned or heated premises must have an automatic door-closing mechanism installed to avoid energy waste.

The government unveiled details of the plan in May as part of an EU-wide effort to cut dependence on Russia for oil and gas following its February invasion of Ukraine.

The European Commission is planning to cut EU dependency on Russian gas by two-thirds this year and end its reliance on Russian fuel supplies before 2030.