Bulgaria: EU investigation finds energy market violations

The European Commission announced preliminary findings of its investigation into Bulgaria’s energy industry on Tuesday, saying that it has found evidence that state-owned companies in the nation have breached competition law.

Bulgaria Energy Holding, which is the umbrella company for state-owned energy companies, was reportedly found to have violated antitrust rules by restricting energy resale based on territory. According to the Commission, BEH could be harming competition by imposing unfair restrictions on where its energy may be resold, and on whether the electricity can be exports and sold outside Bulgarian boarders.

The Commission said it found additional questionable business practices of BEH that collectively amount to an abuse of BEH’s market dominance.

The EU first launched its investigation into the matter in November 2012. The Commission has now sent a statement of objections to the company, and could soon issue fines, reports say.

Full content: Sofia Globe

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