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The rise in electricity and gas is putting the economic stability of some universities at risk, which have reduced the hours that heating and electricity are turned on by installing solar panels or renewing lights to face million-dollar bills that will be multiplied by four compared to others years.

The

is talking with the Ministry of

to find solutions, although almost 80% of university financing depends on the autonomous communities.

A meeting is still pending between these portfolios and the rectors and managers of the universities to discuss the matter.

The CRUE, which brings together the majority of the universities, admits that there will be many difficulties in assuming the rise in the price of energy and that the saving measures implemented "will only serve to reduce an impact that can reach a

originally planned", according to sources from this association.

A calculation that some of the universities consulted by EFE come to place far above and that makes them fear for their economic stability and projects.

THE COLD HINDERS THE NORMAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CLASSES

The

affirms that there are faculties where, due to the fact that the air conditioning systems are disconnected for savings, "many professors have chosen to suspend classes since the conditions are not adequate for teaching."

There have been cases, they explain, where the cold has prevented the correct development of the classes and, for example, in the degrees of

, students have seen their learning hindered by not being able to carry out painting practices since the models refused to undress to be portrayed or the cold did not allow them to "keep the right pulse when" drawing.

"Similar situations have occurred in a wide range of degrees, with different degrees of experimentalism," says Ceune.

IN CATALONIA, THE UNIVERSITIES HAVE REQUESTED A SHOCK PLAN

In

, the eight public universities purchase electricity and gas through the

, which allows them to access a price three times lower than the market.

Fearing that the price of energy will triple or quadruple, the Catalan universities have conveyed their concern to the

, which they have asked for a crash plan with additional funds within the framework of the 2023 budget negotiation.

The

, ​​which with some 62,000 students is the one with the most students in the Catalan community, foresees an additional cost of 19 million euros due to the increase in the price of energy but is confident that it will be able to reduce this impact with different measures.

The

has calculated that in 2023 the price of electricity, in the worst case, could be multiplied by 5.74 and that of gas by 7.45 over the price of 2022.

The

has stated that it will go on to pay around 1.6 million (average figure for recent years) to around 6.6 million, a figure "totally unaffordable" if there are no extra funds.

The

has estimated that spending will quadruple;

that of

foresees that the increase in cost will represent a percentage of around 5% of its budget and the

believes that the current cost could be multiplied by four and this will imply reviewing planned actions and projects.

The

approved a climate emergency program two weeks ago that includes the progressive replacement of gas boilers with more efficient boilers and systems, improvements in roof insulation and placement of reflective vinyl on windows or replacement of windows in poor condition.

In addition, it will maintain the heating and air conditioning systems at a maximum of 19ºC and in buildings without control systems it will activate the heating from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in winter, with particular monitoring of the days before holidays or weekends. weekdays to adjust these hours based on the occupancy of the spaces.

La

, for its part, has already started plans to improve energy, adapt schedules, invest in renewing equipment or installing photovoltaic panels, along with other measures that are in the initial phase but that "will not be able to absorb all the increase in cost."

REDUCE VENTILATION TIMES AND DO NOT TAKE THE ELEVATOR

In the

, the University of Alcalá de Henares has continued with its plan to replace lighting fixtures, has opened a tender to install solar panels, developed heating boiler upgrade projects and improved roofing and insulation.

This institution estimates that its energy bill will amount to 2.9 million euros this year and by 2023 it will add 7.4 million, a difference of 4.5 million against it.

In April, the

launched the "Disconnect the light" initiative to raise awareness and advance in maximum self-sufficiency, whose actions include not using individual heaters, reducing ventilation time in winter and not taking the elevator as much as possible possible.

It has also had an impact on the time adjustment of outdoor lighting;

reducing heating hours and concentrating in fewer buildings the services provided on weekends or non-school days, among others.

Although the Community of Madrid has allocated 25 million euros to distribute proportionally among the six Madrid universities, the amount that corresponds to the UAM -he assures- will not cover the increase in cost by 2022.

The forecast is that the total cost of electricity supply for the Autonomous Region in 2022 amounts to 12.6 million, which would mean an increase of 8.3 million over the cost of electricity in 2021, which was 4.3 million -a 196 .67% more spending over the previous year.

The

University will adapt the air conditioning schedule of buildings to actual use (classrooms, libraries...);

it will turn on the light only in areas that are in use or that do not have enough natural light, and it will reduce lighting in general areas such as lobbies and corridors in the evening.

Currently, Rey Juan Carlos has projects in progress to install photovoltaic panels on several campuses and a new air conditioning system is underway, which is more efficient.

He calculates that it will go from a budget of 3 to 8 million.

The

, apart from applying the royal decree law on energy efficiency, limiting maximum temperatures to 19º, is renegotiating rates, installing solar panels and improving insulation.

Its bill will increase by about 10 million (from the 7.4 budgeted, to the 17,246,500 that is estimated to be the final bill this year).

In the

, energy spending in 2022 will be similar to that of 2021. At this point in 2021 "we spend the same on gas and electricity. About 5 million in total from January to September. At the end of the year gas will surely increase, but it is acceptable", they explain to EFE.

The

has launched a savings plan to reduce energy consumption by at least 20% compared to 2021.

Its rector,

, calculates that if the same consumption is maintained, her bill will go from one million euros to two million in 2023.

"If this forecast is achieved, the economic stability of our University would be seriously compromised";

Hence the need to adopt measures to reduce consumption, stressed Peña who, at the same time, has demanded adequate financing from the Board to allow these increases to be absorbed.

Among its saving measures is the turning off of ornamental lighting at 9:00 p.m. and limiting the heating season from November 15 to March 15.

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