Scots tourists heading to Spain this summer are being warned that authorities plan to introduce mandatory air-conditioning restrictions - despite predictions of near 40C temperatures. Approved last week, the Spanish government said they will not delay their controversial energy plan, in spite of calls for legislation to be scrapped due to fears it could hurt tourism.
With another fierce heatwave forecast to hit the popular holiday destination in the coming days, the new regulations, which come into force on Wednesday, have left tourism bosses feeling the heat. Premises will be subject to spot-checks to ensure they are complying with the new rules.
The scheme requires air conditioning to be turned down in hotels, restaurants and stores. It also involves restrictions on lighting, in an effort to cut down between four and five per cent of the country's energy use, government minister Teresa Ribera said.
Ms Ribera said that while regions could submit "new and concrete" proposals for adjustments to the plan before the end of this month, there was no going back. She said: "The royal decree is already in force. We cannot postpone it,", reports Wales Online.
However, blogger Alexandra Smith, who runs the Mallorca Under The Sun website, suggested the energy-saving plans should not cause too much discomfort for holidaymakers.
She said: "The new ruling will apply to public buildings. It will mean these public spaces will not be able to have their air-conditioning below 27C, and in some cases, 25C and street lights will be dimmed in an attempt to create a 25 per cent saving on the demand for energy.
"I can’t believe how many messages I have received about this issue from worried holidaymakers. To confirm, if your hotel room, apartment or villa does have air conditioning, then you will be able to use it."
Alexandra added: "You won’t notice much difference because this new air-conditioning rule will apply to bars, nightclubs, gyms and shopping centres."
Parts of Spain have again been placed under heat alert with highs expected to top 40C by the weekend. This follows reports that July 2022 was the warmest month ever recorded in Spain, with an average temperature of 26.6 C, according to the country's Met Office AEMET.
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