EU Price Comparison
The "Day-Ahead" market allows European countries to trade electricity efficiently across borders. Hover over the map below to see how Spain's prices compare to our neighbors in real-time.
European Electricity Price MapLIVE
Day-Ahead Wholesale Prices in €/MWh
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How the "Day-Ahead" Pool Works
Across Europe, electricity is traded in Day-Ahead Markets overseen by ENTSO-E. Every day at 12:00 CET, the price for every hour of the following day is calculated based on supply and demand forecasts.
Because electricity cannot yet be stored at a massive scale, these prices fluctuate wildly based on:
- Renewable levels (Solar in Spain vs Wind in the North Sea)
- Natural Gas costs (which often set the marginal price)
- Interconnection capacity (how much energy can flow between France and Spain)
Spain's Position
Spain (OMIE) often sees some of the most competitive prices in Europe during daylight hours due to our massive solar installed capacity.
Did you know?
When renewable generation exceeds demand, wholesale prices can drop to €0/MWh or even turn negative. Spain is increasingly experiencing these "solar dips," making daytime the cheapest time to run high-consumption appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding European electricity pricing
QWhy is Spain often cheaper than the rest of Europe?
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QWhy are prices in Italy and Ireland so much higher?
Italy relies more heavily on natural gas imports and has fewer high-capacity interconnections with low-cost neighbors. Ireland's island geography limits interconnection capacity with the continent, and its energy mix still depends significantly on gas-fired generation. Both countries lack the gas price cap that benefits the Iberian Peninsula.
QDoes the wholesale price affect my electricity bill?
If you are on a "Precio Voluntario para el Pequeño Consumidor" (PVPC) tariff in Spain, yes — your price per kWh follows these market fluctuations hour by hour. Fixed-rate contracts shield you from daily volatility but may cost more on average over the year.
QIf Spain's electricity is cheap, why can't it export more to reduce prices elsewhere?
The Pyrenees mountains create a natural barrier between Spain and France, limiting the physical infrastructure for cross-border power cables. Currently, the France-Spain interconnection capacity is only around 2.8 GW — a fraction of what flows between France and Germany. Until new interconnectors are built (several are planned), Spain's cheap solar energy largely stays on the peninsula.
QHow can I take advantage of Spain's lower electricity prices?
The best strategy is to shift high-consumption activities — running the washing machine, charging your EV, or heating the pool — to solar hours (10:00–16:00) when wholesale prices often dip below €20/MWh. If you're on a PVPC tariff, this directly lowers your bill. Alternatively, consider a fixed-rate deal that locks in a competitive price based on Spain's favourable wholesale average.
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