El electricity price on November 28th It arrives with a day marked by sharp differences between the cheapest and most expensive times. Although November had been relatively favorable for consumers, this Friday stands out for a notable increase in the cost per megawatt hourwhich is noticeable in the electricity bill of households with an indexed tariff or PVPC.
According to data published by the Operator of the Iberian Energy Market (OMIE), the average price of 98,73 euros per MWh It stands at €98,73/MWhThis represents an increase of nearly 13 euros compared to the previous day, when the average was around 86,02 euros/MWh. Although it is still a lower value than those recorded a year ago on the same dates, The final stretch of the month is proving significantly more expensive. than the first few weeks.
Average price of the day and comparison with previous days
For this Friday, the wholesale market sets a average price of 98,73 euros per MWhThis represents an increase of around 14-15% compared to the previous session. This price hike comes after several days in which electricity had traded at lower levels, with averages below €90/MWh.
In the November figures, the behavior remains relatively benign when viewed in perspective, according to the evolution of the price per megawatt. The average price for the month is around 57,20 euros/MWh in the wholesale market, well below the a little over 100 euros/MWh that were recorded in the same period of the previous year. In other words, the year-on-year bill continues to benefit from cheaper electricity than twelve months ago, although The last few days of the month have pushed the average upwards..
Comparing this November 28th with the previous year, the contrast is also striking. Back then, the average market price was around €132/MWh, about 33 euros above the current figure. Thus, although today offers less relief than other days in November, Electricity is still more affordable than in 2024 within the wholesale market.
Cheapest times on November 28th
The key to avoiding a shock at the end of the month lies in shift consumption to the hours with the lowest priceOn this day, the most favorable period is concentrated around midday and the early afternoon, when demand eases and renewable generation usually gains weight.
According to OMIE data, The cheapest time of day is between 14:00 PM and 15:00 PM., with a price of €69,05/MWhIt is the lowest point of the entire day and, therefore, the best time to use the washing machine, dishwasher or oven if you have a choice.
Several relatively accessible sections are linked around this valley. Among the Between 13:00 and 14:00 the price drops to 71,75 euros/MWh, while of 15 am to 00 am It remains at contained levels, with €74,73/MWhThe 11:00 to 12:00 and 12:00 to 13:00 time slots also offer moderate rates. below 80 euros/MWhThis makes the entire period from 11:00 to 16:00 the most attractive time to concentrate electricity consumption.
At the bottom of the table are also some early morning periods, especially between 1:00 and 5:00 a.m., with prices below 92 euros/MWh in the wholesale market, although not as advantageous as the central block of the dayFor those who make programmable consumption decisions, such as charging electric vehicles or washing machines with delayed start, these hours may also be of interest.
Most expensive times and sections to avoid
The other major focus of attention is on the rush hoursThis is when costs skyrocket due to the confluence of high demand and, in some cases, lower renewable energy output. On November 28th, the afternoon and evening hours once again saw the highest prices.
The peak of the wholesale market is recorded between 20:00 a.m. and 21:00 p.m., worth €143,07/MWhThis is the most expensive period of the day, clearly above the daily average, and it is advisable to avoid using high-consumption appliances whenever possible.
But price pressures are not limited to that peak hour. From 18:00 a.m. to 23:00 p.m., the cost of electricity remains consistently above the €100/MWh, with very steep steps between the 18:00 and 22:00Also the first rush hour of the morning, especially from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., presents large figures: from 7:00 to 8:00 they pay €128,66/MWhand from 8:00 to 9:00 the price goes up to €134,42/MWh.
Overall, the message is clear: the least budget-friendly sections These are the times between 7:00 and 10:00 in the morning and, especially, from 18:00 PM until almost midnight. During these hours, concentrating the use of electric heating, ceramic hobs, ovens, dryers, or washing machines can significantly increase the impact on your bill.
Price of electricity per hour in the wholesale market
To visualize at a glance the price distribution throughout the day, this is the SPOT wholesale market hourly breakdown for Friday, November 28, according to OMIE data:
- 00:00 to 01:00: 91,70 euros/MWh
- 01:00 to 02:00: 87,08 euros/MWh
- 02:00 to 03:00: 90,71 euros/MWh
- 03:00 to 04:00: 88,89 euros/MWh
- 04:00 to 05:00: 88,80 euros/MWh
- 05:00 to 06:00: 92,19 euros/MWh
- 06:00 to 07:00: 97,48 euros/MWh
- 07:00 to 08:00: 128,66 euros/MWh
- 08:00 to 09:00: 134,42 euros/MWh
- 09:00 to 10:00: 101,97 euros/MWh
- 10:00 to 11:00: 88,04 euros/MWh
- 11:00 to 12:00: 77,89 euros/MWh
- 12:00 to 13:00: 77,35 euros/MWh
- 13:00 to 14:00: 71,75 euros/MWh
- 14: 00 to 15: 00: €69,05/MWh (minimum of the day)
- 15:00 to 16:00: 74,73 euros/MWh
- 16:00 to 17:00: 87,04 euros/MWh
- 17:00 to 18:00: 105,39 euros/MWh
- 18:00 to 19:00: 120,02 euros/MWh
- 19:00 to 20:00: 128,19 euros/MWh
- 20: 00 to 21: 00: €143,07/MWh (highest of the day)
- 21:00 to 22:00: 123,49 euros/MWh
- 22:00 to 23:00: 102,59 euros/MWh
- 23:00 to 24:00: 99,04 euros/MWh
It is worth remembering that these values ​​correspond to the wholesale market SPOT priceThat is, the base cost on which the regulated tariffs (PVPC) and the indexed offers of the free market are then calculated. The final price paid by the domestic consumer It also includes tolls, charges, marketing margins, taxes and other regulated items.
From the wholesale market to the bill: PVPC and cost per kWh
Households covered by the regulated PVPC tariff indexed free market rates They see how the price of each hour varies depending on the wholesale market, but also on other factors that are constantly being updated. For this day, November 28, the differences between hours are clearly reflected in the final cost per kilowatt hour (kWh).
In terms of PVPC, the cheapest hour on the bill It is located around the section of 14:00 - 15:00, when the price falls to around 0,11913 € / kWhhelping to alleviate the burden of the bill at that time of day. Conversely, the hours of greatest tension They are located among the 19:00 and 21:00, with peaks that hover around 0,26-0,28 €/kWh, according to data from Red Eléctrica de España for the PVPC.
During the early morning hours, prices fluctuate within a range of 0,12 to 0,13 €/kWhWhile in the early morning, between 7:00 and 9:00, the amounts rise significantly, driven by the increase in demand when daily activities begin. This timetable clearly rewards those who can shift part of their consumption to midday. or to the less stressed strips.
How do prices compare with the rest of Europe?
The Spanish electricity market is not isolated: Wholesale prices in Europe tend to move in a related wayHowever, each country has its own specific characteristics in terms of generation, taxes, and tariff design. When renewable energy production increases on the continent, or when demand and costs for fossil fuels decrease, this reduced pressure can also be felt on the Iberian Peninsula.
On days of high wind or solar power production in Spain and neighboring countries, The drop in prices is usually widespreadWhile during periods of intense cold, low renewable energy production, or increased gas prices, price increases are replicated across much of the European market. Consulting data from other countries provides insight into whether the market is experiencing a high or low phase regionally, although the final translation to the invoice It depends on the type of contract and the toll structure of each state.
Forecast and trends for the coming days
To anticipate accurately how will the price of electricity evolve In the coming days, it is virtually impossible. The wholesale price responds to numerous factors: forecast demand, weather, availability of power plants, gas prices, the cost of COâ‚‚ allowances, and, in general, everything that affects supply and demand in real time.
Even so, some trends can be identified. Typically, Prices are usually more moderate on weekends.This is because industrial demand decreases and many energy-intensive processes are reduced. This opens a window of opportunity for high energy consumption on Saturdays or Sundays, from running multiple loads of laundry to cooking for several days or using the dishwasher during off-peak hours.
On the other hand, in autumn and winter the increased use of electric heating, stoves or heat pumps tends to raise prices during the morning and evening hoursThis is precisely when more households turn on these devices. If the weather is sunny and windy, the pressure drops; if it coincides with cold, cloudy, and windless days, the price suffers.
Best time to run the washing machine and other appliances
With the price structure of November 28th, the best time to do the washing machine —and, in general, any high-consumption appliance— is the range between the 14: 00 and 15: 00 hours, when the wholesale market marks the €69,05/MWhThe time slots from 13:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00 to 16:00 are also very attractive, as prices remain at reduced levels compared to the rest of the day.
If work or family schedules do not allow you to take advantage of those time slots, Another reasonable option is to bring forward part of the consumption to the hours between 11:00 and 13:00.where rates are also moderate, or, failing that, in the early hours of the morning, provided that there are delayed programs available that allow you to avoid noise or nighttime disturbances.
On the other hand, it is advisable to postpone intensive use of the oven, dryer, ceramic hob, electric heating or iron. between 18:00 and 22:00Pay particular attention to the peak period from 20:00 PM to 21:00 PM. During this time, any consumption is significantly more expensive, and if this happens day after day, it can be clearly noticeable on the monthly bill.
Tips for saving electricity at home when prices rise
Besides choosing the right time slots, there's room for cut down the electricity consumption of many household appliances with small changes in habits. In the case of the refrigerator and freezer, which are connected 24 hours a day, it is recommended to adjust the thermostat around 4-6 ºC in the refrigerator and -18°C in the freezer, avoid opening the door more than necessary and do not place them next to heat sources such as ovens, radiators or sunny windows.
The dishwasher also offers ways to save money. Use eco programs at around 50ºC Instead of using intensive 60°C cycles, you can cut energy consumption by around 20%. It's best to wait until the dishwasher is completely full before running it and reserve the most demanding programs only for heavily soiled dishes.
Something similar happens with the washing machine and dryer. Opting for wash programs with the coldest possible water Choosing a high spin cycle reduces the energy needed per load. If you're going to iron the clothes afterward, it's a good idea. shorten drying time or even forgo using the dryer for some garments, taking advantage of air drying.
Televisions and other devices in standby mode also contribute to the bill. Although individual consumption may seem small, Leaving the TV on or in standby mode for several hours a day This can represent a significant percentage of monthly electricity bills. Completely unplugging appliances that are not in use—televisions, computers, chargers—helps to cut unnecessary consumption.
In the kitchen, the oven is one of the most energy-intensive appliances. Its impact can be reduced by avoiding long preheating times when not essentialThis can be achieved without constantly opening the door to check on the food and by turning it off a few minutes early to take advantage of the residual heat. In many cases, a smaller appliance or an air fryer can consume significantly less energy for similar preparations.
November 28th presents a scenario in which Electricity is clearly cheaper during the middle of the day and significantly more expensive as evening falls.Those who manage to shift some of their consumption to off-peak hours—especially between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.—and combine this planning with good appliance usage habits will more easily notice the effect on their monthly bill, even in a context of volatile prices like the current one.