Thousands of households affected by the massive power outage that hit Spain and the Iberian Peninsula on April 28, 2025 may be entitled to compensation on their electricity bills, but many customers say they still have not seen any discount applied months later.

Consumer association FACUA has now launched a campaign encouraging affected users to formally claim the money they believe electricity distributors should already have credited automatically.

The organisation argues that Spanish regulations require compensation when power cuts exceed certain service quality limits and says some consumers could also claim additional compensation if companies fail to respond within the legal deadline.

For many households that spent hours without electricity during the blackout, the issue is now turning into a battle over who should pay for the disruption and whether electricity companies are complying with their obligations.

Who can claim compensation after the Spain blackout

According to FACUA, the campaign is aimed at electricity customers who lost supply during the major blackout and have not received any reduction on their bill linked to the interruption.

The claims are directed at electricity distributors rather than energy suppliers. In Spain, the distributor is the company responsible for maintaining and operating the electricity network in each area.

FACUA says the compensation system is already covered under Spanish legislation.

The association points to Royal Decree 1955/2000, which establishes that distributors must apply discounts when electricity supply continuity standards are not met.

The regulation also makes clear that distributors remain responsible for quality indicators linked to their networks, even if they later try to recover costs from other operators involved in the incident.

FACUA argues that many customers should not have needed to request the discounts manually because the reductions were supposed to appear automatically once service thresholds were exceeded.

The organisation has already filed complaints with Spain’s National Commission on Markets and Competition against several distributors including i-DE Iberdrola, UFD Naturgy, e-Distribución, Viesgo Distribución and E-redes.

How much money households could receive

The compensation amount is not fixed and depends on several factors including the contracted electricity capacity, the length of the outage, the type of area where the property is located and the customer’s tariff conditions.

FACUA explains that the calculation uses the contracted kilowatt capacity multiplied by five times the average annual electricity price per kilowatt hour consumed.

That figure is then adjusted according to the number of hours without electricity, although the formula deducts a certain number of hours depending on whether the property is located in an urban, semi urban or rural area.

The association provided an example using a household with 4.4 kilowatts contracted, 12 hours without power and an average electricity price of €0.1491 per kilowatt hour.

According to FACUA’s calculation, that household would be entitled to around €22.96 before taxes, rising to approximately €25.38 once taxes are included.

For some customers the final amount could be higher or lower depending on their individual situation and the duration of the outage in their area.

While the compensation itself may not seem huge for every household, FACUA argues the principle matters because service interruptions affected large parts of Spain and disrupted daily life for millions of people.

Why some households could claim an additional €30

FACUA says there may also be another layer of compensation available in certain cases.

According to the organisation, if the distributor fails to answer the customer’s complaint within five working days, users with contracts below 15 kilowatts may be entitled to additional compensation.

The amount established under the regulation is €30.050605 or 10 per cent of the first full electricity bill, depending on which figure applies.

That possibility has drawn fresh attention because many customers claim they still have not received clear explanations from electricity companies regarding the blackout and possible compensation.

FACUA has published a template letter that consumers can complete and send directly to their distributor. The document asks the company to confirm whether the outage was officially recorded for supply quality purposes, whether the legal service limits were exceeded and whether compensation will be included on the next bill.

Consumers are also asked to include personal details, identification information, their supply contract reference and the CUPS code linked to the affected property.

The blackout is still raising questions months later

The April 2025 outage became one of the most disruptive electricity incidents affecting Spain in recent years.

Beyond the immediate chaos caused by the loss of power, the blackout has continued generating political, regulatory and consumer pressure as questions remain over responsibility, infrastructure resilience and compensation. For affected households, however, the issue has now become much more practical.

Many simply want to know whether they are legally owed money and how to claim it. And with FACUA now publicly encouraging consumers to take action, electricity distributors could soon face a wave of new complaints from customers checking their bills more closely than before.

Electric scooters and other personal electric transporters capable of travelling above 25km/h will be confiscated in Gibraltar from  May 18 under new government regulations aimed at tightening road safety rules.

The measures form part of Gibraltar’s first formal framework regulating Personal Light Electric Transporters (PLETs), a category that includes electric scooters and similar battery-powered vehicles increasingly used for commuting across the territory and nearby areas of southern Spain.

New enforcement powers introduced

Under the new rules, Gibraltar authorities will be able to stop and inspect electric scooters using mobile speed detection equipment. Any scooter found travelling above 25km/h, or modified to exceed that speed, may be seized by enforcement officers.

The Gibraltar Government said vehicles capable of travelling faster than the legal limit will no longer qualify as PLETs under local regulations. Owners will only be able to recover confiscated scooters once the vehicle has been altered to comply with the law or formally registered as an electric vehicle through Gibraltar’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Department.

The measures were announced as part of a broader effort to regulate the growing use of electric transport devices on Gibraltar’s roads and public spaces. Officials have raised concerns over safety risks involving pedestrians, road users and riders themselves, particularly in busy areas with high traffic levels.

Rules will affect daily cross-border commuters

The changes are expected to affect many workers and residents who cross daily between La Línea de la Concepción and Gibraltar using electric scooters. Thousands of people travel across the border each day for work, with scooters becoming a popular alternative to cars due to congestion and limited parking inside Gibraltar.

For those commuting from Spain into Gibraltar, the new regulations mean scooters must comply with Gibraltar’s speed restrictions even if they were legally purchased or used elsewhere. Riders entering Gibraltar on modified scooters or high-speed models risk having the vehicle confiscated once inside the territory.

The regulations apply within Gibraltar regardless of where the scooter is registered or purchased. This means some commuters who use scooters legally on the Spanish side of the border may still face enforcement action after crossing into Gibraltar if their vehicle exceeds the permitted speed limit.

Helmet and insurance rules also under review

The Gibraltar Government has indicated that additional regulations may follow in later stages of the legislative process. Authorities are examining whether further requirements, including compulsory insurance, registration systems and helmet use, should apply to electric scooter riders in future.

At present, the newly announced measures focus mainly on speed restrictions and vehicle classification. Officials say the intention is to establish clear rules before the number of electric scooters on Gibraltar’s roads continues to rise further. Mobile enforcement equipment will be used to identify scooters exceeding legal limits, although the government has not yet detailed how frequently checks will take place or whether they will be concentrated near the border crossing area.

Growing use of electric scooters across the region

Electric scooters have become increasingly common throughout Gibraltar and the Campo de Gibraltar region over recent years. Many cross-border workers rely on them for short journeys between transport hubs, workplaces and residential areas.However, the rapid growth in scooter use has also led to concerns over speeding, pavement riding and collisions involving pedestrians. Similar restrictions have already been introduced in several European countries and Spanish municipalities, where local authorities have imposed speed limits and technical requirements on electric scooters.

In Spain, national traffic regulations already set a maximum speed of 25km/h for electric scooters classed as personal mobility vehicles. Scooters capable of exceeding that limit are generally prohibited from public roads unless approved under different vehicle categories. Gibraltar’s new regulations therefore bring local rules more closely in line with existing Spanish standards, although enforcement procedures may differ.

What riders need to know before crossing into Gibraltar

People travelling into Gibraltar on electric scooters are now being advised to check the technical specifications of their vehicle before crossing the border. Riders using modified scooters or models capable of speeds above 25km/h could face confiscation even if they are not actively travelling above the limit at the time of inspection.

Commuters may also need to ensure any speed-limiting software installed on their scooters cannot easily be overridden, as authorities are expected to examine whether vehicles are capable of exceeding legal limits rather than simply monitoring riding speed alone.

The regulations are scheduled to come into force on May 18. Gibraltar authorities have said the measures are intended to improve public safety and establish clearer legal standards for electric transport vehicles operating within the territory.

Music and laughter filled the Alhaurin Golf Clubhouse last Saturday evening during a special fundraiser organised by the TAPAS Choir. Guests experienced wonderful heartwarming performances as part of the Singing into Summer celebration. Everyone celebrated the occasion on May 9 to benefit two local charities – Donkey Dreamland and Age Care.

Guitarist and singer Dave Lewis got everyone on their feet dancing with timeless rock classics late into the evening. Expresso Doble brought additional musical delight, drawing from their connections as two-fifths of the Stolen Gnomes and two-thirds of the Whisky Piskys. Talented host Leon Patras maintained a lively atmosphere from start to finish with his engaging, and energetic charms. Proceeds went directly to Donkey Dreamland and Age Care.

Established group provides community for Guadalhorce expats

Members of this popular choir have gathered regularly for more than twenty years now. Multinational expats from at least 8 different countries living in the Guadalhorce Valley area created the group to encourage friendships and keep busy, especially in retirement years. Activities extend far past singing sessions into diverse interests that appeal to many different personalities. Theatre play readings offer creative outlets for participants who enjoy dramatic arts. Mediterranean gardening sessions attract nature enthusiasts keen to learn local techniques. Gentle walking groups promote healthy outdoor time in pleasant surroundings. Dancing classes bring rhythm and enjoyment to weekly meetings for all skill levels.

Expats discover support and fun

Participants view TAPAS as more than a choir or singing group. This organisation serves as a family for expats residing in southern Spain. Opportunities arise to meet interesting people from varied backgrounds through regular social gatherings and shared experiences. Everyone benefits from staying active and connected within the group while building lasting relationships in a supportive environment that feels like home away from home.

Contact TAPAS Choir for details on joining events

Phone calls to 711 088 767 provide information about future activities and how to get involved in this warm and welcoming community. Recent success at Alhaurin Golf goes to show strong community ties among local expats in the Guadalhorce and Mijas areas who value such connections and look forward to more events like this. Find TAPAS at tapassociety.com