“Volgogradenergosbyt” PJSC is fined half a million RUB for infringing the interests of an entrepreneur

Volgograd OFAS investigated a case against “Volgogradenergosbyt” PJSC

Earlier the Antimonopoly Service established a fact of violating Part 1 Article 10 of No. 135-FZ Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”. The company abused its market dominance unlawfully restricting electric power consumption conditions.

An individual entrepreneur reported Volgograd OFAS that “Volgogradenergosbyt” PJSC had unlawfully switched off electric power supply to an advertising LED screen that he owned.

According to the facts discovered by antimonopoly body, unilateral termination of electric power supply took place after “Volgogradenergosbyt” PJSC had been approached by Volzhsky Authority that had had the businessman had disagreements with regard to the lease contract for the advertising structure located near the Central Department Store. It appears that Volzhsky Authority attempted to use additional leverage to force the businessmen to demolish the advertising structure.

Volgograd OFAS revealed that the businessman “Volgogradenergosbyt” PJSC had been bona fide executing conditions of the electric power supply contract and “Volgogradenergosbyt” PJSC had no legal grounds to switch off electric power supply.

Deputy Head of Volgograd OFAS Anna Gadzhieva commented: “The circumstances ascertained by OFAS were confirmed by Volgograd Regional Arbitration Court that also found that actions of “Volgogradenergosbyt” PJSC had unlawfully switched off electric power supply to the advertising structure. The antimonopoly body will continue robust efforts to hold the persons that abuse market dominance administratively liable”.