Key data
| Regulation | Resolución de 30 de marzo de 2026, de la Secretaría de Estado de Energía, por la que se actualizan los valores de la retribución a la operación correspondientes al segundo trimestre natural del año 2026 de las instalaciones tipo de generación de energía eléctrica cuyos costes de explotación dependan esencialmente del precio del combustible |
|---|---|
| BOE Reference | BOE-A-2026-7426 |
| Publication | 1 April 2026 |
| Entry into force | 1 April 2026 |
| Application period | Second natural quarter 2026 (April-June 2026) |
| Affected parties | Owners of electricity generation installations with costs dependent on fuel prices (gas, fuel oil, coal under the special regime) |
| Category | Energy |
| Authority | Secretaría de Estado de Energía |
Gas, fuel oil, and coal power plants under the special regime see their operation remuneration (Ro) values updated for the April-June 2026 period. The Resolución de 30 de marzo de 2026 de la Secretaría de Estado de Energía sets the new values to be incorporated into the electricity system settlements for this second natural quarter.
This quarterly review is the mechanism provided for in electricity sector regulations to ensure that generator revenues are aligned with actual production costs, which in these installations depend essentially on fuel prices. If fuel prices rise or fall, the Ro is recalibrated to maintain the economic viability of the plants.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution updates the operation remuneration (Ro) values applicable to standard electricity generation installations whose operation depends essentially on fuel prices. This adjustment is made on a quarterly basis in accordance with the Spanish electricity sector regulatory framework.
The mechanism works as follows:
- Each quarter, the Secretaría de Estado de Energía reviews the evolution of relevant fuel prices.
- Based on that evolution, the Ro values are recalculated for the affected standard installations.
- The new values are published in the BOE before the start of the quarter and applied to the settlements for the corresponding period.
- For Q2 2026, the values published on 1 April 2026 apply from that date through 30 June 2026.
The objective of the mechanism is to balance generator revenues with actual production costs, avoiding both excess costs for the system and the economic unviability of the installations.
Economic and operational impact
For the owners of these installations, the quarterly update of the Ro has direct consequences on two levels:
Financial planning: The new Ro values determine the regulated revenues the installation will receive during the second quarter of 2026. Any deviation from the values of the previous quarter (Q1 2026) must be incorporated into cash flow and results projections for the April-June period.
Electricity system settlements: The periodic settlements carried out by the system operator will incorporate these updated values. Owners must verify that the settlements received correctly reflect the Ro values published for Q2 2026 and not those of the previous quarter.
The variation in Ro compared to previous quarters depends on the evolution of fuel prices in the market. In an environment of energy volatility, these updates can result in significant differences in the quarterly revenues of the affected installations.
Who is affected?
This resolution directly affects:
- Owners of natural gas power plants under the special regime or with regulated remuneration whose Ro is linked to fuel prices.
- Owners of fuel oil power plants with operating costs dependent on fuel prices.
- Owners of coal power plants under the special regime with regulated operation remuneration.
- Financial managers and CFOs of companies owning these installations, responsible for planning regulated revenues for Q2 2026.
- Energy advisors and consultants who manage the relationship with the settlement system on behalf of the owners.
It does not affect renewable generation installations (wind, solar, hydroelectric) or installations that do not receive regulated remuneration linked to fuel prices.
Practical example
A company owning a natural gas cogeneration plant under the special regime receives its electricity system settlements quarterly with the Ro values in force for each period.
For Q1 2026 (January-March), the settlements were calculated using the Ro values set for that quarter. From 1 April 2026, with the entry into force of this resolution, the Q2 2026 settlements will be calculated using the new updated values.
If the price of natural gas has changed significantly between Q1 and Q2 2026, the Q2 Ro values will reflect that change. The company's financial officer must:
- Consult the Ro values published in resolution BOE-A-2026-7426 for their specific standard installation type.
- Compare those values with those of Q1 2026 to estimate the revenue impact for the quarter.
- Adjust the financial projections for the April-June 2026 period accordingly.
- Verify that the settlements received from the system operator correctly apply the new values.
What should companies do now?
- Consult the full resolution in the BOE (BOE-A-2026-7426) to identify the specific Ro values corresponding to the standard installation type of each plant. The specific values are detailed in the official text.
- Compare the new Ro values with those of Q1 2026 to quantify the impact on regulated revenues for the April-June 2026 period.
- Update Q2 2026 financial projections by incorporating the new Ro values into cash flow and results planning models.
- Review the first Q2 2026 settlements when received from the system operator, verifying that they apply the values published in this resolution and not those of the previous quarter.
- Communicate the changes to the operations team so that plant management takes the new remuneration framework into account in its operational decisions for the quarter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the operation remuneration (Ro) and why is it updated every quarter?
The operation remuneration (Ro) is the remuneration component that covers the variable operating costs of electricity generation installations whose operation depends essentially on fuel prices, such as gas, fuel oil, or coal plants under the special regime. It is updated quarterly to align the revenues of owners with the actual evolution of fuel prices and to ensure the economic viability of these plants.
What period do the new Ro values published in April 2026 cover?
The updated values correspond to the second natural quarter of 2026, that is, the period from 1 April to 30 June 2026. The resolution was published and entered into force on 1 April 2026.
What types of installations are affected by this Ro update?
The affected installations are standard electricity generation installations whose operating costs depend essentially on fuel prices. This includes gas, fuel oil, or coal plants operating under the special regime that receive regulated remuneration in accordance with electricity sector regulations.
How does this resolution affect electricity system settlements?
Electricity system settlements will incorporate the new updated Ro values for the second quarter of 2026. Owners of the affected installations will receive their April-June 2026 period settlements calculated using these revised values, which may result in revenue variations compared to the previous quarter depending on the evolution of fuel prices.
Where can I consult the official resolution with the Ro values for Q2 2026?
The full resolution is available in the BOE with reference BOE-A-2026-7426, published on 1 April 2026 by the Secretaría de Estado de Energía. You can access it directly at: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-7426
Official source
View full regulation at the official sourceDisclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-7426