Costa Blanca

In Spain, the number of cheap petrol stations is growing

The most recent report from the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) claims that flagship stations—those who enter into an exclusivity agreement with a fuel distributor—continue to suffer as independent service facilities expand. There are 12,631 operational establishments on Spanish territory, according to data from this entity as of December 31, 2024. This is 96 more points of sale than the previous year. However, the majority of them are self-sufficient.

More and less expensive petrol stations

According to the report released by this organisation on February 27th, 2025, independent gas stations accounted for “just over 45% of the network” of gas stations in 2024. The CNMC emphasises “the continuous increase in the networks of Plenergy , Petroprix and Ballenoil (acquired by Cepsa-Moeve while retaining its brand)” . The report notes that these three independent brands’ installations resulted in a corresponding increase in their number of points of sale of 291, 280, and 159.

According to data, these numbers are in contrast to those from 2009, when independent petrol stations made up 28% and the three major operators (BP, Repsol, and Moeve) 55%.

Additionally, these independent brands were used by the service stations that reported a reduced price in 2024. Vilafranca del Penedès (Barcelona)’s Plenergy station had the lowest price for 95 gasoline, “followed by two with the Bonarea label in Olesa de Montserrat (Barcelona) and Castellgalí (Barcelona)”. However, two petrol stations with the Ballenoil label in Morón de la Frontera (Seville) and Torrevieja (Alicante) had the lowest prices for A diesel. These were followed by one with the Petroprix label in Gijón (Asturias) and another with the Plenergy label in Villareal (Castellón).

Additionally, the newsletter provides additional details about Spanish petrol stations. For instance, 14.3% of the network is made up of “unattended or partially unattended” petrol stations.

Less than 25%, between 25% and 50%, and between 50% and 75% of opening hours are partially unattended, while the bulk of this percentage are entirely unattended, meaning that over 75% of operating hours are unattended. In comparison to 2023, there are now 1,799 stations that fit these criteria, which is 338 higher than the previous year.

Despite the promotion of electric automobiles, which hardly increased their sales in 2024, the CNMC also noted that “demand for 95-octane petrol and diesel A was 2.0% higher than in 2023.”

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Costa Blanca

15-year-old boy caught driving three times the speed limit

Local police in the Alicante municipality of San Vicente del Raspeig have located and identified a 15-year-old boy who boasted in a video uploaded to the social media platform TikTok about driving at 120 kilometres per hour.

The video, which was captured at 1:30 p.m. on February 19th on Calle Río Turis in San Vicente, seess him driving a car at a speed that was three times the maximum speed limit of 40 km/h. Additionally, he is accompanied by other juveniles inside the vehicle.

The young man is facing charges for a variety of potential road safety violations, such as irresponsible driving, driving without a licence and speeding.

According to a police report that has been submitted to the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office in Alicante, the car in which the minors were travelling is owned by the driver’s father. The report identifies all occupants.

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Costa Blanca

Hiker rescued after sustaining a head injury during a fall

Today, the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium rescued a 77-year-old man who suffered a head injury after sliding while hiking in Collado del Polçet, Cabeçó d’Or, Alicante.

According to the aforementioned agency, the Alpha 01 rescue helicopter and the GER special rescue group were dispatched to the location at approximately 1:38 p.m. upon receiving the alert.

The injured individual was immediately evacuated to the helipad of the Doctor Balmís General Hospital in Alicante by the firefighters after they had located him. The operation concluded at approximately 3:05 p.m.

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Costa Blanca

Police in Alicante seize 1,300 kilos of cocaine from two trucks

Two large vehicles carrying 1,300 kilos of cocaine were intercepted by agents from the Drug and Organised Crime Unit (UDYCO) of the National Police in Alicante. The French Customs and the Central Investigation Office of the Polish Police provided support to the investigation, which was conducted by the Alicante Police Station in collaboration with the Catalonia Headquarters and coordinated by Europol.

According to sources from the investigation, these vehicles were intercepted at a service station in France and in an area near Barcelona after travelling through the province of Alicante. The operation has led to the interception of over one tonne of narcotics that were intended for several European countries.

The events occurred on March 16th when French authorities discovered a large vehicle with Polish registration at a service station in France, en route to Lyon. 800 kilogrammes of cocaine were discovered concealed within aluminium materials during the inspection of this vehicle. The coordination mechanisms between countries were immediately activated through Europol, and the driver was arrested for an alleged offence against public health.

Cooperation was established with the Central Investigation Office of the Police, specifically with the department in Rzeszów, following the discovery of the first vehicle. This collaboration resulted in the discovery of a second truck near Barcelona.

The National Police discovered an additional 500 kilogrammes of cocaine, this time concealed among porcelain construction materials, as a result of their collaboration with the Polish side. The National Police’s Special Security Operations Group (GOES) provided assistance to the investigators in the transportation of the narcotics.

Currently, the investigation is ongoing, and Europol is coordinating efforts between Spain, France, and Poland to dismantle the criminal organisation that is dedicated to high-level drug trafficking.