Fuel prices are a key factor impacting household budgets. According to the latest annual report from the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC), fuel prices, station networks, and consumption patterns continue to evolve.
Alicante Province benefits from two notable advantages: it is one of only six provinces in Spain where fuel prices have decreased, and it ranks third nationwide—behind Madrid and Barcelona—in terms of the highest number of fuel stations per 100 kilometres
The driving forces behind these trends include tourism, rising vehicle registrations, and, most significantly, the rise of independent low-cost fuel stations.
DECLINING FUEL PRICES
The retail prices of 95-octane gasoline and diesel A continued their downward trajectory in 2024, following record highs in 2022 due to the war in Ukraine. In the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, the average price per litre of 95-octane gasoline stood at €1.588, while diesel A was priced at €1.480—marking decreases of 3.4% (-5.6 cents) and 5.6% (-8.8 cents), respectively. Alicante ended 2024 with an even lower price of €1.424 per Litre for gasoline.
GROWTH OF LOW-COST STATIONS
Spain’s fuel station network has expanded significantly, primarily due to the rise of independent operators since regulatory changes in 2013. Between 2009 and 2024, the number of fuel stations grew by 30%, reaching 12,631 nationwide. In Alicante, low-cost stations now dominate the market, accounting for 45% of the network and helping keep prices below the national average.
The province has seen an impressive 42.5% increase in fuel stations, rising from 350 to 499. This growth has propelled Alicante from fifth to fourth place in Spain in terms of station numbers, surpassing Seville.
ACCESSIBILITY AND DENSITY
Despite this expansion, Alicante’s number of fuel stations per 100,000 inhabitants remains slightly below the national average (25.1 vs. Spain’s 26), reflecting disparities between coastal tourist areas and less populated inland regions. However, in terms of station density per 100 square kilometres, Alicante ranks third in Spain with 8.6 stations—well above Valencia (6.3) and the Basque provinces.
SHIFTING MARKET DYNAMICS
The increasing dominance of independent gas stations has reshaped both network expansion and service models. Since 2014, major energy companies have lost market share, with independent operators now comprising over 45% of the sector. Meanwhile, Repsol, Cepsa-Moeve, and BP—Spain’s three refining-capable operators—account for 43% of stations.
Another significant shift is the rise of unattended gas stations. Since the pandemic, this self-service model has surged, now making up 14.3% of Spain’s total fuel station network. The majority of these remain unstaffed for over 75% of their operating hours.
Alicante’s fuel market is transforming, with increasing competition from independent stations keeping prices in check and expanding accessibility for drivers across the province.
