Czech anti-monopoly watchdog looking into CEZ, Veolia, EPH

EPH Invest SpA

12/11/2024 14:51

PRAGUE, Nov 12 (Reuters) - The Czech anti-monopoly
office UOHS has been looking into potential anti-competitive
collusion of electricity producers CEZ  CEZP.PR , EPH and Veolia
Energie  VIE.PA  in a government auction for state aid for
building power plants, UOHS said on Tuesday.
    News website www.seznamzpravy.cz reported UOHS was looking
into whether the three companies coordinated bids in the auction
meant to pick companies to build gas or biomass power and heat
plants as part of a decarbonisation drive.
    "I can confirm that UOHS is dealing with this matter," a
UOHS spokesman said when asked to comment on the report,
confirming the three companies were involved.
    He said official proceedings, a process leading to potential
fines, have not been launched.
    UOHS said last month it had inspected premises of energy
firms with suspicion they entered into anti-competitive
agreements, but did not at the time give details or name the
firms. 
    CEZ has confirmed the UOHS raid but declined further comment
on Tuesday. EPH declined to comment. 
    Veolia Energie did not immediately respond to a request for
comment.
    The news website www.seznamzpravy.cz quoted a Veolia
spokesman as saying an inspection took place at the firm's
premises, and the company believed it did not violate
competition rules.

 (Reporting by Jan Lopatka; editing by David Evans)
 ((jan.lopatka@thomsonreuters.com; +420 234 721 614; Reuters
Messaging: jan.lopatka.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))