MADRID The energy crisis makes it difficult for young people to become independent in Spain, say the students met in the capital, Madrid. Psychology student Elena Tirado lives alone and has noticed the price increase.
– I see it clearly. When going out with friends in the evenings, you have to spend less. The grocery store spends about 20 euros more than before the crisis, says Tirado.
Maria Alvarez studies social work in Valencia. Moving from his hometown of Madrid to the other side of the country was expensive and he has no regular income.
– Young people who still live with their parents may not notice the price increase, unlike those who have moved on their own, says Álvarez.
– Now there is a war and an energy shortage, so cities also have to save. City lights could be turned on only at certain times and they could be turned off at night, he suggests.
Spain is not dependent on Russian gas, but still the consequences of the energy shortage are felt in Spain as well. Food, electricity and gas prices are rising.
The rise in prices punishes low-income earners and especially young people, as youth unemployment in Spain is among the highest in the EU. Last year, the unemployment rate for men under 25 was a good 34 percent, the highest in the EU. Just under 36 percent of women of the same age were unemployed. Only in Greece was unemployment among young women higher.
Energy saving is already commonplace
In Spain, most energy is consumed during the day. The use of solar energy is common, but when the sun goes down, we switch to gas.
The Madrid residents interviewed by closely monitor energy prices. They know what time of the day it is best to focus energy use in order to make everyday life energy efficient.
You will save if you do laundry and vacuuming at home between ten in the evening and eight in the morning and on weekends. Night electricity is the cheapest.
Cooking should be done in the early morning or late evening. Preparing dinner after ten in the evening is not unusual, because in Spain it is customary to eat dinner late anyway.
Maria Alvaréz and Elena Tirado also say that they turn off the heating at home at night. In the morning, the gas is turned on before taking a shower. Especially in old houses, shower water is heated with gas.
Savings in urban lighting caused a dispute
Spain’s left-wing central government enacted a law in August that sets out precise guidelines for municipalities and cities to save energy.
Automatic locks had to be installed on the doors of public buildings, so that the doors do not remain open and heat loss does not occur. Lights in empty public spaces, such as offices, libraries, cinemas and schools, must be turned off at 10 p.m., as well as in empty shops and shop windows.
Most of the people support strict measures, but not all politicians. Some of the governments of the country’s 17 autonomous regions against the hara. Self-governing regions can decide for themselves whether they will comply with the new law or not.
Madrid’s autonomy has a strong right-wing tradition. The president of the Madrid regional government, representing the conservative PP party Isabel Díaz Ayuso has assured that Madrid will not shut down.
According to him, a dark Madrid scares away tourists, increases security risks and weakens consumption.
The new pipeline would bring gas from Africa deeper into Europe
The Spanish government is looking for new energy solutions for importing African gas to Europe. Spain already receives most of its gas through a pipeline from North Africa, so it is not dependent on Russian gas.
Now in southern Europe, plans are underway to build a new gas pipeline from Spain to France.
visited the Bebartlet consulting company in Madrid, known for its young experts, and found out what they think about the project. All Bebartlet employees are under 35 years old and well-known commentators in the Spanish media.
A new pipeline could start bringing African gas to Europe at the end of the decade, says the company’s leading consultant for the ecological transition Alejandro Labanda.
– In a year’s time, Europe will lack as much gas energy as Spain consumes in a year. It has to be replaced with something. The shortage will continue for years, says Labanda, referring to the intergovernmental energy cooperation organization to the IEA’s estimate (you switch to another service).
Spain aims for a green transition to the hydrogen market
The price estimate for the pipe and the technical challenges of construction are unclear. The Spanish government has still pursued an extremely bold plan, as the country wants to sell hydrogen produced in Spain to Europe in addition to the transfer of natural gas flowing from Africa through a pipeline under the Mediterranean Sea.
Spain invests in forms of energy that support the ecological transition, such as hydrogen (you switch to another service). It would support the transition away from fossil fuels such as gas.
According to Labanda, there are still no underwater pipelines transporting hydrogen in the world. The pipe would be long, about 400–500 kilometers. It is to pass under the sea from Barcelona to Marseille in the south of France.
– It is not yet known whether the construction of the pipe is even technically possible and whether hydrogen can be transported in pipes at all. Spain, France and Portugal are now investigating these issues, says Labanda.
At this time in Spain, everyone is trying their best to cope with the current situation with high energy prices.
Students Maria Álvarez and Elena Tirado leave interviews for Madrid’s nightlife. They travel on foot and by subway.
– My boyfriend has a job and he has a car, but we use public cars, because the price of petrol has risen wildly in Spain recently, says Tirado.