EU anti-trust probe into Bulgaria energy group

The European Commission announced on Monday an anti-trust probe into Bulgarian Energy Holding on suspicion that it was abusing its dominant market position to limit competition. It said it was concerned BEH could be hindering competition in wholesale electricity markets in Bulgaria and neighbouring EU states, in breach of anti-trust rules. The Commission will examine provisions in electricity supply agreements arranged by BEH subsidiaries which "may restrict their trading partners' freedom to deliver electricity purchased from Bulgarian Energy Holding. "According to these provisions, electricity supplied by BEH may for example be resold only within Bulgaria and not exported," it said in a statement. The Commission noted, as in all such cases, that the opening of proceedings "does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation"and that the matter will be treated as a priority case.