Urgent measures to open up energy and other markets

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. No one may own more than 25% of CLH, the main oil logistics company, and refiners together may not exceed 45%. Anyone above those limits has their voting rights suspended.
2. Large retail stores must include at least one gas station, without exclusive supply contracts with a single wholesaler. Large fuel operators may not open new gas stations for three or five years, depending on their size.
3. Gas stations must report their prices to the Administration, which will make them public, including through cell phones, so consumers can compare.
4. For natural gas, the figure of the Technical System Manager is created, to be held by Enagás, with ownership capped at 35%. The gas market will be fully open on January 1, 2003.
5. In electricity, large producers with a big market share may not increase installed capacity for three or five years. All consumers become eligible customers on January 1, 2003, and high-voltage tariffs disappear in 2007.
6. Large company mergers must be notified before they happen and are suspended until the Administration authorizes them. Processing deadlines are shortened and, if the Government does not decide within one month, the operation is deemed approved.
7. Anyone holding stakes above 3% in two main operators in the same sector (electricity, gas, telephony, etc.) may not vote with the excess shares or appoint directors at both companies, to prevent coordination between competitors.
8. Other measures: free discounts on school textbooks, membership of just one professional association to practice nationwide, more transparency for mortgage loans, more flexible store opening hours, and doctors at mutual insurance funds may issue sick leave and return-to-work certificates.

Who it affects

• Drivers and consumers: They can check gas station prices and will see more competition in fuel, gas, and electricity.
• Large energy and telecom companies: They face limits on shareholdings, new facilities, and voting rights.
• Companies planning mergers: They must notify the operation first and wait for government authorization.
• People with a mortgage or buying subsidized housing: More information before signing a mortgage and lower notary and land registry fees.
• Workers on sick leave: Doctors at mutual insurance funds can issue their leave and return-to-work decisions.

Words worth knowing

Concentración (merger)

A merger or acquisition between large companies that the Administration must approve to protect competition.

Consumidor cualificado (eligible customer)

A gas or electricity consumer who can freely choose a supplier instead of paying a regulated tariff.

Garantía de potencia (capacity payment)

A charge electricity consumers pay to ensure there is enough generation capacity.

Aranceles (official fees)

Official fees charged by notaries and land registrars for their services.

Incapacidad temporal (temporary disability)

A situation where a worker cannot work due to illness or accident and receives a benefit.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries