The electricity distribution operators are E-Distributie Muntenia SA, E-Distributie Banat SA, E-Distributie Dobrogea SA, and the electricity supply companies are Enel Energie SA and Enel Energie Muntenia, respectively.
The regulator said in a statement that its inspections targeted possible abuses of dominant position from electricity distribution operators within Enel Group, in the areas where they hold a license. The regulators suspects that distribution companies E-Distributie Muntenia SA, E-Distributie Banat SA and E-Distributie Dobrogea SA have allegedly limited competition on the market by favoring their own electricity suppliers, namely, Enel Energie SA and Enel Energie Muntenia SA. “We constantly monitor the activity of companies in a dominant position, they have a special responsibility regarding the behavior adopted in the relationship with partners, precisely because they enjoy a special position on the market. We are interested in the behavior of companies in the energy sector, especially in the context in which, in recent years, the Romanian state has adopted measures to open up the markets in this sector to competition,” said Bogdan Chiritoiu, President of Romania’s Competition Council. Inspections were carried out at some of the places of business of the companies in Bucharest, Constanta and Timisoara, and the documents are analyzed by the Romanian competition authority. “We will intervene and sanction any attempt to distort the liberalization process, to the interest of the dominant company or some companies within the group, because it affects consumers“ interests, added Chiritoiu.Enel confirmed the inspections and pledged to cooperate with the competent authority in this case.
“The Competition Council carried out an unannounced inspections at some Enel group companies in Romania. Enel companies pay particular attention to compliance with competition legislation, they operate with transparency, non-discrimination and respect for customers, and during the inspection they fully cooperated with the competent authority, providing all the requested documents and information,” Enel said in a press statement.
The unannounced inspections are authorized by the Bucharest Court of Appeal and are justified by the need to obtain all the information and documents necessary to clarify the possible anti-competitive practices analyzed (…).