EC Statement: Antitrust - Commission initiates formal proceedings against Electrabel and EDF for suspected foreclosure of the Belgian and French electricity markets
( July 26, 2007, 12:42 GMT | Official Statement) -- Extract: The European Commission has decided to open two formal anti-trust proceedings, one against Electrabel, which is the incumbent electricity company in Belgium and part of the French SUEZ group, and one against EDF, the incumbent electricity supplier in France, for possible breaches of the EC Treaty's rules on abuse of a dominant market position (Article 82).The European Commission has decided to open two formal anti-trust proceedings, one against Electrabel, which is the incumbent electricity company in Belgium and part of the French SUEZ group, and one against EDF, the incumbent electricity supplier in France, for possible breaches of the EC Treaty's rules on abuse of a dominant market position (Article 82). The Commission believes that Electrabel and EDF may have introduced long term exclusive purchase obligations in their supply contracts with industrial consumers that make it difficult for new entrant electricity suppliers to acquire these consumers as clients in Belgium and France. As a result, the development of a more competitive electricity market in these Member States might be delayed. Such a delay in introducing competition on the market could lead to higher prices and lower quality of service for all electricity consumers in these countries, both companies and private individuals....
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