October winds: a traditional season of regulatory adjustments in the energy sector

6 min read

30 Oct

30Oct

October: A Turning Point for Spain’s Energy Sector

Year after year, October has become a key month for the Spanish energy sector: the entry into force of new regulatory frameworks, the revision of tariffs and tolls, the start of new gas periods, and market adjustments that compel both market players and consumers to act. The year 2025 will be no exception.

This year, moreover, the month is marked by a structural change in the Spanish electricity market, which since October 1st has moved from an hourly pricing system to a quarter-hourly one — with 96 prices per day instead of 24.

The goal is to provide more accurate price signals, facilitate the integration of renewable energy, and open new opportunities for efficient energy management.

1. Start of the “Gas Year” and Update of Tolls and Charges

One of October’s recurring features is the beginning of what is known as the “gas year.” In 2025, the CNMC (National Commission for Markets and Competition) approved remuneration resolutions and gas access tolls for the period from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.This means that tariff adjustments take effect from the beginning of October:

Access tolls for the transport, distribution, and regasification of natural gas are revised in line with the current regulatory methodology (Circular 6/2020) and reflect new costs for the coming gas year.
In parallel, the new Last Resort Tariff (TUR) for natural gas is published, setting the fixed and variable components for residential consumers as of October 1st.
Industry sources estimate that access tolls could increase by an average of 11.2% for this gas year, due to lower demand and reduced regasification revenues.

Main implications

Retailers must anticipate and adjust their contracts before October 1st to comply with the new tariff framework.
Consumers (households, communities, SMEs) will see regulated charges and tolls itemized more transparently on their gas bills — though with a potential rise in the fixed charge.
It’s a good time to review your contracted tariff and check whether the current access toll fits your real consumption. While this cannot be changed freely (as it depends on the previous year’s consumption), suppliers can provide advice and support.

2. A New Electricity Framework: From Hourly to Quarter-Hour Pricing

Since October 1st, the market operated by OMIE now publishes 96 daily prices instead of 24. This change, aligned with European regulations, aims to better reflect real-time generation and demand, reduce imbalances, and improve system efficiency.

What does this change mean?

More granularity: moving from 24 to 96 prices per day.
Savings opportunities: consumers with indexed tariffs can shift consumption to lower-cost periods.
Regulated tariff (PVPC): users will still see hourly prices, but the internal calculation is now quarter-hourly.

For fixed-price customers, there are no changes to their contracts. For indexed customers, the new quarter-hour formula automatically applies — keeping the same structure and margins, but applied to each 15-minute period. Where quarter-hour consumption data is unavailable, REE (Red Eléctrica de España) will profile usage to estimate billing.This adjustment brings greater price volatility, but also better alignment with Spain’s increasingly renewable energy mix.

3. Adjustments to the Regulated Gas Tariff

As every October, the new gas year (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026) comes with revised access tolls, charges, and remunerations approved by the CNMC. An average 11% increase in tolls is expected due to lower demand and reduced regasification income.The Last Resort Tariff (TUR) is also being updated, with an estimated 13% rise, highlighting the importance of reviewing contract types and analyzing each user’s consumption profile.

What’s driving this increase?

A combination of higher access tolls and regulated system costs.
Adjustments to the raw material cost, which, while variable, must comply with regulated margins and methodologies.
Adaptation of the system to a new gas period and structural demand decline (e.g., reduced gas-fired power generation), forcing fixed costs to be spread over fewer kWh consumed.

Recommendations for consumers

Review your contract and confirm you are under the most suitable category for your real consumption (RL.1, RL.2, etc.).
Take advantage of this regulatory reset to perform an energy audit: insulation, heating systems, consumption habits.
Consider switching to the free market if the TUR is no longer competitive for your consumption profile.

4. Tariff Simplification: Toward Greater Transparency

In recent years, reforms have been introduced to simplify the gas tariff structure and reduce technical categories. As highlighted in the October 2025 bulletin, measures such as eliminating differentiated tariffs for “satellite plants” or categories like RLTA and RLTB now take effect, reinforcing a simpler model.

The goal is for users — both residential and business — to better understand what they’re paying for: a regulated component (tolls and charges) and a commercial component (energy, margins, etc.).

5. October’s Seasonal Pattern: Why Does It Repeat?

Traditionally, many regulatory changes and review periods coincide with the start of the final quarter (October–December). This timing allows gas and network cycles to begin during a low-consumption period, distributing costs more efficiently.Consumers return from holidays, households prepare for winter, and operators use this period to communicate adjustments before heating demand rises.

From a regulatory standpoint, October is strategic for introducing structural changes before the heating season, enabling a smoother and more gradual adaptation.

6. Looking Ahead: Integrated Adaptation of the Energy Sector

Although much of the focus in October 2025 is on gas, these adjustments connect to broader energy sector dynamics:

The energy transition continues to demand that transport and distribution systems evolve to integrate renewables, storage, and self-consumption.
Electricity tariffs and tolls also undergo periodic reviews — not always in October — requiring companies and consumers to plan ahead.
Energy companies, large consumers (industries), and collective supplies (condominiums) must remain alert to these regulatory shifts to anticipate contracts, budgets, and efficiency strategies.

Conclusion: October, the Month for Energy Decisions

Ultimately, October is not just the start of the last quarter of the year — it’s a month of key decisions for Spain’s energy sector. The adjustments taking effect now — the new gas period, updated tolls, and regulated tariffs — will shape the landscape for the next 12 months.That’s why at RwC Energy Partners we recommend:

Staying well-informed about the new gas access tolls.
Analyzing each client’s consumption profile and reviewing contracts before new terms apply.
Using this transition to improve energy efficiency in facilities, systems, and habits.
Considering the potential impact on costs and competitiveness for households, SMEs, and industries.

Stay tuned to our upcoming reports in the Energy Sector section, where we’ll continue to analyze the evolution of markets, regulation, and emerging opportunities in this dynamic environment.

_{RWC ENERGY PARTNERS}

Comments

October winds: a traditional season of regulatory adjustments in the energy sector

October: A Turning Point for Spain’s Energy Sector

This year, moreover, the month is marked by a structural change in the Spanish electricity market, which since October 1st has moved from an hourly pricing system to a quarter-hourly one — with 96 prices per day instead of 24.

The goal is to provide more accurate price signals, facilitate the integration of renewable energy, and open new opportunities for efficient energy management.

1. Start of the “Gas Year” and Update of Tolls and Charges

Access tolls for the transport, distribution, and regasification of natural gas are revised in line with the current regulatory methodology (Circular 6/2020) and reflect new costs for the coming gas year.

In parallel, the new Last Resort Tariff (TUR) for natural gas is published, setting the fixed and variable components for residential consumers as of October 1st.

Industry sources estimate that access tolls could increase by an average of 11.2% for this gas year, due to lower demand and reduced regasification revenues.

Main implications

Retailers must anticipate and adjust their contracts before October 1st to comply with the new tariff framework.

Consumers (households, communities, SMEs) will see regulated charges and tolls itemized more transparently on their gas bills — though with a potential rise in the fixed charge.

It’s a good time to review your contracted tariff and check whether the current access toll fits your real consumption. While this cannot be changed freely (as it depends on the previous year’s consumption), suppliers can provide advice and support.

2. A New Electricity Framework: From Hourly to Quarter-Hour Pricing

Since October 1st, the market operated by OMIE now publishes 96 daily prices instead of 24. This change, aligned with European regulations, aims to better reflect real-time generation and demand, reduce imbalances, and improve system efficiency.

What does this change mean?

More granularity: moving from 24 to 96 prices per day.

Savings opportunities: consumers with indexed tariffs can shift consumption to lower-cost periods.

Regulated tariff (PVPC): users will still see hourly prices, but the internal calculation is now quarter-hourly.

3. Adjustments to the Regulated Gas Tariff

What’s driving this increase?

A combination of higher access tolls and regulated system costs.

Adjustments to the raw material cost, which, while variable, must comply with regulated margins and methodologies.

Adaptation of the system to a new gas period and structural demand decline (e.g., reduced gas-fired power generation), forcing fixed costs to be spread over fewer kWh consumed.

Recommendations for consumers

Review your contract and confirm you are under the most suitable category for your real consumption (RL.1, RL.2, etc.).

Take advantage of this regulatory reset to perform an energy audit: insulation, heating systems, consumption habits.

Consider switching to the free market if the TUR is no longer competitive for your consumption profile.

4. Tariff Simplification: Toward Greater Transparency

The goal is for users — both residential and business — to better understand what they’re paying for: a regulated component (tolls and charges) and a commercial component (energy, margins, etc.).

5. October’s Seasonal Pattern: Why Does It Repeat?

From a regulatory standpoint, October is strategic for introducing structural changes before the heating season, enabling a smoother and more gradual adaptation.

6. Looking Ahead: Integrated Adaptation of the Energy Sector

Although much of the focus in October 2025 is on gas, these adjustments connect to broader energy sector dynamics:

The energy transition continues to demand that transport and distribution systems evolve to integrate renewables, storage, and self-consumption.

Electricity tariffs and tolls also undergo periodic reviews — not always in October — requiring companies and consumers to plan ahead.

Energy companies, large consumers (industries), and collective supplies (condominiums) must remain alert to these regulatory shifts to anticipate contracts, budgets, and efficiency strategies.

Conclusion: October, the Month for Energy Decisions

Staying well-informed about the new gas access tolls.

Analyzing each client’s consumption profile and reviewing contracts before new terms apply.

Using this transition to improve energy efficiency in facilities, systems, and habits.

Considering the potential impact on costs and competitiveness for households, SMEs, and industries.

Stay tuned to our upcoming reports in the Energy Sector section, where we’ll continue to analyze the evolution of markets, regulation, and emerging opportunities in this dynamic environment.

RWC ENERGY PARTNERS

_{RWC ENERGY PARTNERS}