If you have just opened your electricity bill and had a shock, you are not alone. The summer of 2026 has been an expensive one on the Costa del Sol: repeated heatwaves have pushed air-conditioning use through the roof, the Spanish electricity market has hit its highest demand in five years, and since June the taxes on electricity have gone back up. In Málaga, where the air conditioning runs almost non-stop from June to September, all of this adds up fast.
The good news is that a lot of that cost is within your control. In this guide we explain why bills climb so much in summer and, more importantly, the practical steps you can take to bring yours down and avoid problems with your electrical installation when you need it most.
Why does electricity cost so much more in summer?
It is not one single cause, but several that all land in the hottest months:
1. Air conditioning drives up consumption
This is by far the biggest factor. An air-conditioning unit running for many hours a day can add 300 kWh or more to a home's monthly consumption, and it draws hardest during the hottest hours, which tend to be the most expensive.
2. Market prices spike with the heat
When the whole country switches on the air conditioning at once, demand rockets. In July 2026 the Spanish grid recorded its highest demand in five years, and the wholesale price passed 280 €/MWh during the early-evening peaks. On one July day the price jumped by more than 40% in 24 hours.
3. Higher taxes since June
Since 1 June 2026, VAT on electricity has returned to 21% and the special electricity tax has risen from 2.5% to 5.11%. For an average household that means paying around 15% more every month, whatever you consume.
4. Old or badly sized installations
An old installation with inefficient appliances or the wrong potencia contratada (contracted power) wastes money. Many older properties in central Málaga and along the coast still have cuadros eléctricos (consumer units) and wiring from decades ago that were never designed for today's demand.
What does this mean in Málaga?
Andalucía is one of the regions that suffers most in the heat: this summer temperatures topped 42°C in several provinces, and the grid operator expected consumption to rise by close to 8% in the region during the heatwaves. That demand peak does not just push up the bill, it also puts installations under strain.
On the hottest days there have been localised power cuts in several Andalusian towns, and it is common for the diferencial (RCD) and magnetotérmico (circuit breaker) to trip when several AC units pull at once from an installation that is already stretched. If your home is old or you have several splits, the risk is higher.
It is worth having your installation checked before the heat really sets in if you notice any of these signs:
- The power trips when you switch on the AC: the RCD or breaker cannot cope with the start-up surge.
- Your bill has jumped without any change in habits: there may be inefficient appliances or wasted consumption.
- The lights flicker when the air-conditioning compressor kicks in.
- Sockets or plugs that feel warm: a sign of overload and a genuine fire risk.
- An installation more than 20 years old that has never been checked.
How to cut your bill this summer
Set and maintain your air conditioning. Every degree lower sends consumption up: set the thermostat around 26°C, use automatic mode and clean the filters regularly. A modern A+++ unit uses far less than one from ten years ago. If you are thinking of replacing or fitting one, our guide covers how much air conditioning costs in Málaga, and we can help with the air conditioning side.
Check your contracted power. Many homes pay for potencia contratada they never use, while others are so tight the power trips every summer. Matching it to what you actually need saves money all year round. We explain how in contracted power in Spain explained.
Use the cheaper hours. On the regulated PVPC tariff, electricity is cheaper overnight and early in the morning. Running the AC, washing machine or dishwasher in those windows cuts the bill without giving up any comfort.
Protect your installation from voltage surges. Summer storms and the instability of the grid at peak demand can damage your appliances. A proper surge protection system saves you from expensive surprises.
Keep your consumer unit and RCD in good order. If the power trips when the AC comes on, do not ignore it: it usually means the consumer unit needs upgrading, or that the AC needs its own dedicated circuit. We cover it in why your air conditioning trips the electricity.
Consider solar self-consumption. Málaga has sun to spare exactly when electricity is most expensive. Solar panels produce most at midday, when the AC works hardest, and a battery lets you use that energy in the evening peak. There are also Junta de Andalucía grants that can cover a good part of the cost. See the numbers in is a solar battery worth it? and on our solar panels page.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my electricity bill so high this summer?
Because of three things at once: air conditioning drives up consumption, market prices rise during the hottest hours, and since June 2026 both VAT and the electricity tax have gone back up. It all lands in the summer months.
What temperature should I set the air conditioning to save money?
Around 26°C is a good balance between comfort and cost. Every degree below that can raise consumption by 7% to 8%. Using automatic mode and keeping doors and windows closed helps the unit avoid overworking.
Are solar panels worth it just for the air conditioning?
In Málaga they usually do pay off: the panels produce most at midday, exactly when the AC uses most and electricity is dearest. With a battery you use that energy in the evening too. Junta de Andalucía grants also reduce the upfront cost.
Can the heat make the power trip or cause cuts?
Yes. When several AC units start at once, the consumption spike can trip the RCD or breaker, especially in older installations or those with low contracted power. On high-demand days there can also be cuts on your local network.
How much power do I need for air conditioning?
It depends on how many units you have and your other appliances. A split draws a fair amount on start-up, so if you have several it is worth checking your contracted power and consumer unit. It is best to have an electrician calculate it for your case.
Want help bringing your bill down?
At VLR Instalaciones we have over 20 years' experience as electricians authorised by the Junta de Andalucía across the whole of Málaga province. We check your installation, adjust your contracted power, bring your consumer unit up to date and advise on efficient cooling and solar self-consumption so you only pay for what you need. Get in touch for a no-obligation assessment.