The arrival of winter and the cold weather, energy consumption rises and almost 1,500,000 families in Spain end up without power each year due to unpaid bills.
Electricity prices have risen by 60% during the past five years, while wages have declined. Two unpaid electricity bills and the power companies act swiftly to cut supply, regardless.
In 2011 and 2012, around 510,000 families in Andalucia ended up with their power supply being cut. This represents roughly 5% of consumers.
The Andalucia government has recently issued a decree guaranteeing a minimum of water and electricity to those on the lowest incomes, a measure costing €20 million per year.