The OCU has carried out an analysis to find out what are the best gas rates that we can contract this winter. The organization is clear, we tell you everything you need to know.
The Organization of consumers and users, Known as OCU, it usually carries out different market studies periodically to find out what the best rates on the market are in order to satisfy the needs of consumers based on different services. Within the gas market, once the relevant x-ray of the situation has been carried out, the agency is clear that the best option for our consumption is the Last Resort Rate, known as TUR. We tell you all the details.
The best alternative
The Last Resort Fee reviewed quarterly. However, since October 2021, its increases have been limited, since the revaluation of the raw material cannot be greater than 15% every three months, in response to the package of measures approved by the Government of Spain to alleviate the consequences of the energy crisis.
Although during 2024, the TUR rate has risen, on average, 8.19% since January 1 of this year, for the OCU it is still the best option for consumers. According to calculations carried out by the agency, for a home with heating that consumes around 9,000 kWh annually, the cost, taking into account the aforementioned increase, would stand at 574 euros, 7.7% than in the previous quarter. However, the cost to be assumed would be higher, since the applicable VAT has increased by 5 points until June 30, 2024.
In words from the OCUthe “single rate” that competes with the TUR rate is the replica that Naturgy sells and that still maintains some customers. However, as the organization points out, “is withdrawing it from its clients at the time of renewing their rates”.
Despite this, he issues a warning to all those who remain in the free market: any company that operates in this market must “notify consumers of rate changes one month in advance, including a comparison of the annual cost with the new rate”
Special conditions
The TUR fare differs from most options presented by marketers. In fact, only those who have been designated to do so can offer them. And its main characteristic is that the Rate conditions are set by the Ministry, being the same for all companies that offer the service.
As we have mentioned, the TUR reviewed quarterly in order to determine the price at which it is marketed, as stated by the OCU itself. During the months of January, April, July and October, a formula is applied that takes into account the behavior not only of national markets, but also of international ones. Based on this, the price that will be the official one during the current quarter is set.
By having some special conditions, No marketer can apply permanence when carrying out the contract. As users, we can carry out the contracting and, when we deem it appropriate, return to the free market if we find another option that can better adapt to the needs we have at a given time.
It is important to emphasize that any consumer with an annual consumption of less than 50,000 kWh You can contract this rate. And, to do so, we must go to the marketers that have been chosen for this: Regulated Marketer Gas & Power, from the Naturgy Group; Energía XXI, from the Endesa Group; Curenergia, from the Iberdrola Group and Baser, from the Total Energies Group.
