Czech watchdog launches formal probe into collusion in heat and power plant auction

Veolia Environnement SA

04/06/2025 09:07

PRAGUE, June 4 (Reuters) - The Czech anti-monopoly office UOHS has started an investigation into a potential cartel agreement among three major Czech energy suppliers, it said on Wednesday.

A spokesman said the case followed up on an initial probe last year in a case when UOHS inspected premises of electricity producers CEZ CEZP.PR, EPH and Veolia Energie VIE.PA over a government auction for state aid for building power plants.

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.

CEZ, EPH and Veolia did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

 (Reporting by Jan Lopatka; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

 ((jan.lopatka@thomsonreuters.com; +420 234 721 614; Reuters Messaging: jan.lopatka.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))