Czech watchdog halts collusion probe into CEZ, EP Energy, Veolia Energie (updated)
29/04/2026 13:53
Adds background, comments PRAGUE, April 29 (Reuters) - The Czech Republic's anti-monopoly watchdog said on Wednesday it had suspended proceedings against utilities CEZ CEZP.PR, EP Energy and Veolia Energie for suspected collusion in auctions under a state scheme. The anti-monopoly office UOHS started an investigation into a potential cartel agreement among the three major Czech energy suppliers last June. It followed an initial probe in 2024 when UOHS inspected premises over a government auction for state aid for building power plants. The material gathered during the inspections was "not sufficient to establish the existence of a prohibited cartel agreement beyond reasonable doubt," UOHS said in a statement. (Reporting by Jason Hovet Editing by Bernadette Baum) ((alan.charlish@thomsonreuters.com;))