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Madrid has followed Andalucia in opening an expediente informativo against the electric companies (los electicos). So I hope you’re not going to think that they will actually take action against the monopolistic bastards.

Let’s see…. an expediente is an investigation. So an expediente informativo is, basically, an investigation that results in a conclusion. Could be in favour of opening a new expediente, or against. If against, then the politicos can shrug and say “we tried!”.

Of course, if, should however is appointed to run the expediente informativo be affected by a desire to end their career and suggest that there are irregularities in how the electricos are carrying out their billing processes, then…

We could have an alta de expediente juridico – criminal process could be opened. Hmmm.

We could have an expediente X – Mulder and Scully are appointed to investigate. Or…

If anybody in command actually cared about us little people. we’d have an alta de expediente sancionadora, which would be a report and (administrative) fine into the monopolistic and antiethical practices of the utility companies. Based on the amount that was taken out of our pockets and the estimated earnings / savings generated off that amount. Also not likely, considering how much the utilities donate to the main political parties around here.

After a Friday in which Madrid Consumo line had so many phone calls about the vast amounts taken out of pensioners bank accounts by the electricos that they put a recording on the 012 line informing people of their rights, you’d think somebody would take action. But probably not. Endesa has almost every politician in Spain in their pocket. After all, this is a company that in 2008 generated 525,000,000 euros in after tax profit.

I’m sorry, that previous figure of 525,000,000 euros in after tax profit was wrong. Endesa SA did not generate that much profit in 2008. That is how much profit they generated in Chile alone. Which, one assumes, is a small part of their business. After all, ZP risked getting kicked out of the EU for protectionist practises by defending Endesa aginst a hostile takeover from EON.

The only figures I can find for the overall company is Jan – Sept 2008: Net profit for the first 9 months of 2008 were 6,801,000,000 euros. (Source). Which is why they have cut off an elderly pensioner because his estimated bill is 400€ and he can’t pay (because his monthly pension is 400€ [Source]). God, it’s enough to make you join the I.U.

The Junta de Andalucia and Sevillana Endesa -normally the best of friends, and if you want one then you’ll find them in bed with the other- has display a small rift with Sevillana Endesa over the change from bimonthly to monthly billing.

Those of us on “small” (under 10Kw lines) will have noticed that we are now being billed monthly, instead of every two months, and what is more, the first month is estimated. In some cases, according to complaints, estimated by over 200% more than reality.

This has lead to such an influx of complaints from members of the public that not only has Endesa’s complaint lines collapses, but the Juntas as well; as vast numbers of complaints and queries come in.

This has lead to (shock! gasp! falls against the wall holding his fluttering heart with a moan!) the opening of an informative investigation (expediente informativo) against the company to see if its new policy is “against the public interest”.

Gaspar Zarrias, First VicePresident of the Andalucian Parliment and a man trotted out to the camaras when Pressie for Life Chaves prefers to sit out the crisis in the shadows, has promised a full investigation into the complaints and unprompted (something which has shocked the local media) threated fines and sanctions against the electrical company if it is found to be abusing its power (well, why else have power? asked a bemused Sevillana official [not really]).

“Sevillana Endesa must justify the increase and if there are irregularities, let no citizen have the least doubt that we will ask for the return of payments and impose sanctions” he warned.

Sevillana, apart from the dodgy estimates (which aren’t refunded, only credited if they take too much out of your account) has also convinced the government to allow them to impose a 3,5% increase in the base cost of electricity. January isn’t the best month to do things like this.

For example, the Sevillana Endesa office of Ribera del Genil yesterday had at one point over 300 irate customers demanding attention, apparantly forcing the local police to come round to impose control. Jose Carlos Lopez, a local fella, was indignant as he pointed out that he only earnt 1000€ a month, but was charged 404€ byb Endesa for one months electricity, as opposed to an averge of 50€ a month which was his real usage. “This means my family cannot eat this month” he proclaimed to the press, “but if I refuse to pay it then my family shall be left in the dark”.

FACUA -Federación de Asociaciones de Usuarios y Consumidores, one of Spains principal Consumer Associations- are producing a leaflet informing clients of Endesa of their rights if they believe their estimated bill to be excessive, as the company hasn’t bothered to do this, and are “still deciding what our national response is to be”.

Another client, Jose Aranda, is bitter because it seems that on his bill they have charged him for exceeding his electric charge, despite the fact he never has before.

A statement issued by Sevillana Endesa reminds its customers that it was granted permission to move to bimonthly billing with one estimated by Royal Decree late last year, and that “the company has abided by the rules; we have done nothing wrong”.

Forgot to mention this:

Endesa, your local friendly electric company, would like to remind all small users (under 10Kw power supplied) that in future its billing will be monthly, instead of every two months.

However, if I am reading this correctly, they will continue reading everybodies bill every two months.

So every alternate bill will be estimated, with the next bill adjusted to reality. Except that, no doubt, the next step will be to increase the readings every three months… and so forth.

And yes, I am bitter about the self serving bastards who despite being one of Spains most profitable companies can’t keep the current flowing 24 hours a day.

For those of you wondering about how the court case (here) appeal against the charged of Civil disobedience, invasion and illegal occupation of a public edifice (to wit, the Turre Town Hall), refusing to obey the commands of an office of duly constituted civil authority, blocking the free passage of vehicles on a public road, ended – Judge Tomás Cobo upheld the complaint and kept the fine. So that’s €500 down the drain.

Thank you Juan Grima for pointing out in the La Voz that the Guardia Civil agents lied to the Judge. Such is Spanish Justice, as Pedro mournfully told me.

I’m up in front of the beak (as I believe the expression is) on Thursday. Civil disobedience, invasion and illegal occupation of a public edifice (to wit, the Turre Town Hall), refusing to obey the commands of an office of duly constituted civil authority, blocking the free passage of vehicles on a public road, are just some of the charges levied against me. 350€ and the right to expression is at stake. Civil Court 1, Almeria. It’s due to a protest back in 2007 (Levante sin cables) when we were protesting against the construction of high power electric line down to Mojacar and refused to leave without having a word with our friend Jose Navarro (now Climate Change Advisor for Almeria, bless his little cotton socks). He, the PSOE and his Sevillana Endesa friends decided to make an example of us. 15 Spanish friends (most over 50, by the way) will be joining me. Upon winning (and leaving as a free man), I shall donate my €350 to the Priors cause via the closest anti illegal building / political corruption cause.

There we go. An average increase of 3.4% for domestic users as from the 1st. (Varies slightly depending upon your exact tariff and usage).

A very nice little Welcome to 2009 card (no mention of Christmas, just the new year) turns up in the post from Sevillana Endesa. It’s a third bigger than most Christmas cards, as it has an extra sheet, although 3 pages are blank and another just has a nonsensical, Dali style diagram on it.

It waffles on about the sea, the mountains, the valleys, the flowers, the trees, the environment, the trees, you, me, him, us…. reminds us that Sevillana is “environmentally friendly” and wishes us all a sustainable 2009, for us and for the future of our children.

Now, ignoring the fact that they probably sent this piece of crap to about half a million subscribers, cutting down around a thousand trees, plus the postage and transport costs, if they really cared about sending us seasons greetings “sustainably” they could have sent me an e-card – I’m a member of their virtual office and receive an email a week from the blighters.