The Sun Tax is Sin

This week, the Congreso petitioned the lame duck government that it abolish the tax on the sun, and create a renewable energy policy similar to that of other European countries. Of course, since a new government still hasn't been formed since the elections in December, and new elections will probably be held in June, I think the government is going to bide its time and do nothing, hoping to get re-elected in June. We're dumb enough to re-elect them, too.

Back in the years of President Zapatero, and his efforts to avoid a full economic crash in Spain, renewable energies were subsidied, and all new construction was required to install solar panels. Many home owners also installed solar panels, taking advantage of the subsidies and the savings in the electricity bill. When the conservative PP came into power things changed. The traditional energy companies complained and got a sympathetic ear in the government. The Minster of Industry, Mr. Soria (who has stepped down today after the offshore companies fiasco - hurray!), decided to regulate renewable energies. He did so by obliging the registration with his ministry of privately owned renewable energies, that had to confirm to certain rules, and imposing a tax on the amount of energy produced, even if it was only used by the owner. In other words, he was declaring that a house with a solar panel for hot water was producing electricity, and should be charged the same as an energy company, even if the house's energy production was not going into the grid. I have seen the situation compared to a gardner who plants two lettuces for his own lunch, being declared a wholesale lettuce producer and taxed accordingly. All those who do not comply, whether they are simple homes, or small businesses, are subject to fines of up to sixty million euros. Compare that to the fine on letting radioactivity escape into the environment at thirty million euros. 

Thanks to that, Spain has become the laughingstock of Europe on energy matters. Everywhere else, companies and individuals are being encouraged to invest in renewable energies, especially solar energy. Here, we're taxing the sun. Even the United States, with its enormous dependence on fossil fuels, and suspicions of other energies, is embracing solar energy. But, of course, the traditional energy companies would lose money, instead of earning millions in profits like they're doing now. And so would most of their consultants and administration members. Who are those people? 

Ángel Acebes, ex Minister of the Interior, PP (conservative), to Iberdrola.

José María Aracama, ex Minister of Economy and Revenue of Navarra, Independent, to Gamesa.

Ángeles Amador, ex Minister of Health, PSOE (Socialist), to Red Eléctrica.

Juan María Atutxa, ex Minister of the Interior of Euskadi, PNV (Basque), to Iberdrola.

José María Aznar, ex President of the Government, PP, to Endesa.

Manuel Azpilicueta, ex Vice President of National Institute of Industry with Adolfo Suárez (we're talking ages ago), to Solaria.

Carmen Becerril, ex Director of Energy Policy and Mines, PP, to Acciona.

Josep Borrell, ex Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Environment, ex President of European Parliament, PSOE, to Abengoa.

Pío Cabanillas, ex Director General of RTVE and ex spokesperson of the government, PP, to Acciona.

Felipe González, ex President of the Government, PSOE, to Gas Natural Fenosa.

And the list goes on and on. There is a natural revolving door between the government and the large energy companies in Spain that leaves minds spinning. The result? That the people of Spain pay more for their energy than any other country in the European Union. And it doesn't seem to matter what ideology the consultant professed while in public office, once in the free job market, the most important ideology is the Euro. So, draw the curtains, the sun is shining and the mud on the living room carpet might be seen.