A tourism official has warned that British tourists visiting Spain will be “roast[ing]” under new energy-saving restrictions that prohibit air conditioning settings below 27 degrees Celsius in the summer.
No longer will establishments be permitted to set their cooling systems below 27C in the summer or their heating systems over 19C in the winter.
The country has passed a new set of regulations that prohibit winter heating above 19 degrees Celsius.
The rules will apply to offices, stores, bars, and restaurants, in addition to public transportation systems and transportation hubs. To regulate temperatures, stores will be compelled to close their doors.
They are part of Spain’s initiative to reduce its gas use by 7 percent to a recent European Union agreement to minimize reliance on Russian gas.
Under the new regulations, storefronts and abandoned government offices must also turn off their lights at 10 p.m.
However, Spain is currently experiencing an extremely hot summer, with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in numerous regions, and the president of the tourism authority for Costa del Sol has criticized the restrictions.
Francisco Salado stated, “We want satisfied tourists, not burned tourists or those who are terrified to traverse the dark alleys.”
He has urged the administration to “focus its mental capacity on more effective initiatives.”
He continued, “It is as if this directive was drafted by a martian, someone who is profoundly ignorant of our country and did not consult with anyone.”
He added that it “makes no sense” to require hotels, restaurants, bars, museums, cinemas, stores, train and bus stations, and airports to increase their thermostat to 27 degrees in the summer “exactly during a heat wave.”
It was disclosed earlier this week that guests can continue to keep their hotel rooms cool since they are designated “private spaces,” although all other public areas must comply with new regulations.
Last week, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez unveiled the new package, stating, “You need only visit a shopping mall to see that the temperature may be set too low.”
Similar energy-saving requirements are already in effect for public organizations in Spain.
The government asserts that the restrictions will not only reduce energy use but also reduce utility costs for individuals and businesses.
In the summer, Spain is one of the hottest countries in Europe. The nation has already seen two heatwaves this year, and forecasts indicate that temperatures will spike again in the first weeks of August.
