How to Increase Your Contracted Power Using Your CIE
Every Spanish property has a maximum admissible power — the ceiling set by your CIE. If you are regularly tripping your main switch or paying too much because your contracted power is too high, understanding this figure is the starting point.
Here is how potencia increases work, when you can do it without a new CIE, and when you cannot.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reduce my potencia to save money?
Yes. If your contracted power is higher than your actual needs, you can reduce it at any time — free of charge with most suppliers. Reducing potencia when it is excessive is one of the easiest ways to lower your fixed charges.
What is the maximum potencia for a standard residential property?
There is no fixed maximum — it depends on your installation. Standard residential properties typically support between 5.75 kW and 9.2 kW on single-phase supply. Larger properties or those with three-phase supply can go significantly higher.
Does a potencia increase require a new meter?
Not necessarily. If your existing meter can accommodate the new power level (most digital meters can), only a configuration change is needed. Very old analogue meters may need replacing — this is arranged by the distributor at no direct cost to you.