Who to call about electricity: distributor or supplier (comercializadora)

Key rules

• Faults and meters: Power cuts, faults and meter problems go to the distributor.
• Contract and bill: Questions about your contract, price and bill go to your supplier.
• Your choice: You can only choose the supplier; the distributor is set by your address.
• Finding the distributor: Your bill names the distributor, and the digits after ES in your CUPS also show it.

The short answer

The distribuidora looks after the grid, faults and meters. The comercializadora looks after your contract and your bill. You can only choose the comercializadora. The distribuidora is fixed by where you live.

Who does what

Distribuidora (distributor)

• Owns and runs the local power grid.
• Connects your home and works on the supply point.
• Handles power cuts and supply faults.
• Installs, reads and maintains your meter.

Comercializadora (supplier)

• Sells you the energy.
• Holds your contract.
• Issues your bill and handles questions about it.

Who to call

If you are unsure, start with your supplier. They can pass a fault on to the distributor, but the distributor is usually faster for a cut.

What you can choose

You pick the supplier. Switching supplier does not change the grid, the meter or the company that fixes faults. The distributor stays the same wherever you buy your energy.

How to find your distributor

Your bill names it. You can also read it from your CUPS, the code that identifies your supply point. The four digits after "ES" show the distributor. Common ones:

• 0021: UFD (Naturgy)
• 0022 or 0031: e-distribución (Endesa)
• 0023: E-Redes (EDP)
• 0026: i-DE (Iberdrola)
• 0027: Viesgo

Broadly, i-DE covers much of the Basque Country, Navarra, Valencia region, Murcia, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha and La Rioja. e-distribución covers Catalonia, Aragón, much of Andalucía, the Balearic and Canary Islands. UFD covers Galicia and parts of Madrid and other regions. E-Redes covers Asturias and some other northern areas. Many small local distributors also exist, and areas can be mixed town by town, so confirm on your bill.

Your CUPS is on your bill, your contract and your supplier's customer area. The distributor can also give it to you on request. The FAQ below says more about it.

A common mix-up

A big name on your bill is not always your distributor. A home can have an Iberdrola-owned grid and an Endesa supplier, or any other mix. Check the distributor's name or CUPS code before you call.

Quick answers on Spanish electricity contracts

What is a CUPS number and where do I find it?

Your CUPS is the unique code of your supply point, and you find it on your bill, your contract and your supplier's customer area. It starts with ES, then a 4-digit distributor code, 12 digits, and 2 control letters, with an optional final digit and letter. The distributor can also give it to you on request.

Can one supply point have two electricity suppliers at once?

No, each supply point can have only one supplier at a time, so it has a single supply contract. If you change supplier, the new contract replaces the current one.

Is there a minimum contract period or penalty under PVPC?

No, a PVPC contract has no minimum term and no penalty for leaving. You can move to another supplier or tariff whenever you like.

Why am I charged meter rental and how much is it?

You pay meter rental when the meter belongs to the distributor, and it covers the meter and its upkeep. The price is set by the State at 0.81 euros per month before taxes for a typical single-phase smart meter in 2025. You can buy your own meter from an authorised provider to stop paying rent, but an authorised party must verify and install it.