The Czech Office for the Protection of Competition has decided to stop the administrative proceedings against the competitors ČEZ, a.s., EP Energy, a.s., and Veolia Energie ČR, a.s. The investigation was initiated over suspicions that these companies exchanged sensitive business information and coordinated their actions regarding their participation in auctions under a state support program for electricity production from highly efficient combined heat and power systems.

The authority had reasonable suspicions of a possible prohibited agreement, which were repeatedly confirmed by administrative court rulings. Although extensive communication between the companies regarding the auction issues was secured during local inspections, the information gathered was not sufficient to conclusively prove the existence of a cartel agreement.