European Commission Initiates Antitrust Probe into Bulgarian Companies

The European Commission is investigating whether Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) and two subsidiaries have used their dominant market position to hinder competitors from accessing key infrastructures in Bulgaria.

“The Commission has concerns that the Bulgarian energy incumbent BEH and its subsidiaries may be abusing their dominant market position on the natural gas markets in Bulgaria, in breach of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),” reads the note released on Friday.

European Commission has concerns that the Bulgarian BEH, its gas supply subsidiary Bulgargaz and its gas infrastructure subsidiary Bulgartransgaz may have restricted competition.

“In particular, the Commission has concerns that these companies may be preventing potential competitors from accessing the Bulgarian gas transmission network and the gas storage facility by explicitly or tacitly refusing or delaying access to third parties,” reads the note.

There is no legal deadline to complete inquiries into anti-competitive conduct.