MADRID, 14 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The National Market and Competition Commission (CNMC) has opened an investigation into various operators active in the Spanish energy sector for possible anti-competitive practices.

Between November 28 and December 2 of this year, the CNMC carried out inspections at the headquarters of several operators in the Spanish energy sector within the framework of confidential information opened after the presentation of various complaints.

If the existence of anti-competitive practices in this market is confirmed, they could constitute a violation of articles 1 and 2 of the Law for the Defense of Competition and 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, as indicated by the agency.

Inspections are a preliminary step in the investigation process of alleged anti-competitive practices and do not prejudge the outcome of the investigation or the culpability of the entities.

If, as a result of the inspection, indications of practices prohibited by the Competition Law and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union are found, a disciplinary proceeding will be formally initiated.

The CNMC has recalled that anti-competitive practices and abuses of a dominant position constitute a very serious infringement of competition law, which can lead to fines of up to 10% of the total turnover of the offending companies in the year immediately prior to the imposition of the fine.