A new national heat record for June was set in Spain at the weekend, with temperatures reaching 46 degrees Celsius in the town of El Granado near the Portuguese border, as a broader early-summer heatwave grips parts of Portugal, France, and Greece.

The Spanish state weather agency AEMET confirmed Saturday’s record-high temperature. Spain’s previous June high of 45.2 degrees was set in Seville in 1965.

Dozens of towns and cities across Spain reported maximum temperatures above 40 degrees, while neighbouring Portugal also sweltered. In the country’s southern Algarve tourist region, highs reached around 40 degrees.

On Spain’s holiday island of Mallorca, temperatures climbed to nearly 35 degrees.

Overnight conditions offered little relief.

In southern Spain, night-time lows remained above 30 degrees – a level of sustained heat that experts say can pose serious health risks.

Locals are accustomed to coping with extreme temperatures by limiting outdoor activity during peak heat, wearing light clothing, and hydrating frequently.

However, the combination of scorching heat and intense sun is rapidly drying out soil and vegetation, sharply increasing the risk of wildfires.

Meteorologists warn that such heatwaves are becoming more frequent and arriving earlier in the season due to human-driven climate change.

According to AEMET, only two heatwaves were recorded in June between 1975 and 2000.

Between 2000 and 2024, that number rose to nine.

This year, temperatures approached August levels as early as late May.

France is also sweltering under the heatwave, which is expected to last through the middle of next week. On Monday, temperatures above 35 degrees are forecast across much of the country.

By Tuesday, Paris could see highs of 40 degrees, according to the national weather agency Météo France.

Wildfires have broken out in southern France amid the ongoing heat, possibly caused by a barbecue.

A section of the A61 motorway was closed, and a campsite in Bizanet was evacuated, according to the local prefecture based in Carcassonne.

A total of seven fires were reported after a person was transporting a barbecue with still-smouldering embers in a trailer, local civil protection chief Christian Pouget told broadcaster BFMTV on Sunday.

In the small municipality of Bizanet alone, more than 150 firefighters battled the flames. Firefighting helicopters were also deployed, according to authorities.

The fires affected 400 hectares of land.

Experts note that directly linking individual wildfires to climate change is challenging.

In Greece, strong winds brought an abrupt end to a three-day heatwave, with temperatures dropping from around 40 degrees to 30 degrees within hours, the national weather service reported.

Despite the cooldown, the combination of heat and wind has prompted Greece’s civil protection agency to declare the highest fire danger level for large swathes of the country.

Major wildfires have already broken out this European summer south of Athens and on the island of Chios.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has invested over N720 billion to implement its landmark initiative of deploying 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks for the nationwide distribution of petroleum products, which is expected to save Nigerians over N1.7 trillion annually.

This step will see the privately-owned refinery absorb over N1.07 trillion annually in fuel distribution costs. The initiative is also poised to significantly benefit over 42 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by reducing energy costs and enhancing profitability.

The initiative, which eliminates transportation costs for fuel marketers and large-scale consumers, is expected to help reduce pump prices and inflation. From August 15, 2025, Dangote will begin the direct delivery of petrol and diesel to filling stations, industrial facilities, and other high-volume consumers.

According to a statement from the refinery, it aims to meet Nigeria’s daily consumption of 65 million litres of refined petroleum products. This includes 45 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 15 million litres of diesel, and 5 million litres of aviation fuel.

With the average logistics cost estimated at N45 per litre, the refinery will cover over N1.07trn annually in free distribution expenses.

Dangote Group is investing N720 billion in the acquisition of 4,000 CNG-powered trucks as well as the establishment of nationwide CNG ‘mother and daughter’ stations, among other infrastructure to implement the free distribution initiative.

This strategic programme forms part of Dangote’s broader commitment to eliminating logistics bottlenecks, enhancing energy efficiency, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting Nigeria’s economic development. The company noted that lower fuel distribution costs will help reduce production costs, ease inflationary pressures, and stimulate economic growth.

The initiative is also expected to resuscitate dormant filling stations, fostering job creation in the process. Over 15,000 direct jobs are projected to be created across the logistics chain, including drivers, station managers, and attendants at the CNG stations.

The refinery also emphasised that this programme would help curb cross-border smuggling of petroleum products and support a more efficient and environmentally friendly distribution system.

Presidential Endorsement and Industry Praise

The Presidency has described the initiative as a pivotal moment in the Federal Government’s push to mainstream gas-powered transportation.

Commercial Coordinator of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), Tosin Coker, praised the move as a strong vote of confidence in Nigeria’s gas-fueled future.

“Dangote Group’s acquisition of 4,000 CNG trucks is not only impressive in scale but also highly strategic,” he said. “It signals to the market that CNG is no longer a distant prospect but a current, practical solution to high energy costs, emissions, and supply chain challenges. PCNGI regards this as a milestone achievement in our efforts to accelerate gas-powered transport adoption.”

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) also commended the development, calling it a timely resolution to longstanding challenges in the downstream sector.

IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, stated that the new model would significantly reduce logistical burdens for independent marketers by delivering more affordable fuel directly to filling stations.

“Our pipelines have been non-functional for years, yet nothing has been done to revive the infrastructure linking the country’s 21 depots. We’ve had to rely on expensive transport from coastal depots,” Ukadike said. “Dangote’s intervention lifts a huge burden off the shoulders of independent marketers.”

Development Economist and Policy Analyst, Professor Ken Ife, said the initiative would drive down the price of PMS and yield widespread benefits for Nigerians.

CEO, Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, dismissed concerns about the refinery becoming a monopoly, arguing that inefficiencies in the sector have been systemic and long-standing. He added that the scheme would help curb the parasitic role traditionally played by middlemen.

“What Dangote is doing achieves two key objectives: delivering products across the entire country at a uniform price by eliminating bridging costs, and significantly reducing logistics expenses through the use of CNG-powered trucks to reach every corner of the nation.

“In economic terms, middlemen—who typically do not invest—are often viewed as parasitic, extracting margins simply for distributing goods. Dangote is bypassing this layer by directly handling distribution and, notably, providing credit facilities to the retail end of the business,” he said.

Energy expert and co-founder of Dairy Hills, Kelvin Emmanuel, said Dangote’s decision to absorb logistics costs marks a turning point that could finally allow Nigerians to enjoy the benefits of local refining.

Energy analyst Ibukun Phillips described the move as “revolutionary”, suggesting it could reshape Nigeria’s energy sector by improving affordability and access, particularly in rural communities.

“Rural consumers, who typically pay more despite earning less, stand to benefit immensely. This could also revive abandoned filling stations and promote equitable distribution,” she explained.