PODCAST: Europe's energy crisis – what's behind your soaring electricity bills?

A look at how prices are determined, what actions governments are taking, and the effects of energy poverty in Catalonia

A power line running through the Belianes-Preixana drylands in western Catalonia, June 22, 2021 (by Oriol Bosch)
A power line running through the Belianes-Preixana drylands in western Catalonia, June 22, 2021 (by Oriol Bosch) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

October 23, 2021 10:11 AM

September 19, 2022 07:53 PM

 

All-time records for wholesale electricity prices have been broken 19 times over the past few months, causing bills to soar for many consumers and businesses. Cristina Tomàs White and Guifré Jordan join Lorcan Doherty to discuss the causes and the consequences of the energy crisis affecting Europe.

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Ana García from the Economists Association of Catalonia explains the reasons behind the price hikes and how long we can expect them to continue.

Maria Campuzano from the Alliance Against Energy Poverty talks about how Catalan law should protect the most vulnerable, while Marc from Vic shares his struggle to make ends meet.

Plus, we look at the different types of contracts available in Spain and the marginal pricing model used to determine the price of electricity.

This week's Catalan phrase is 'estar com un llum', literally 'to be like a light', it means 'to be crazy'. 

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