Spain: Cementos Portland Valderrivas has warned the increased operating costs may force it to suspend production at its 2.8Mt/yr El Alto cement plant in Morata de Tajuña near Madrid. EuroNews has reported that energy prices more than doubled month-on-month to Euro300/MWhr on 21 October 2021 from Euro100/MWhr on 21 November 2021. Grinding operations use half of the plant’s electricity consumption.
Operations director Luis Herrers said "Because the cost of electricity has shot up by 300%, we have crossed a red line. Our production cost has exceeded our selling price.” He added “We are in a critical situation right now."
