Brussels, 15/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 15 July, the European Commission opened formal anti-trust proceedings to investigate whether CEZ a.s., the incumbent electricity producer in the Czech Republic, may have abused its dominant position on the Czech electricity market, in particular by hindering the entry of competitors, in breach of EU antitrust rules and rules on dominant positions. The Commission is concerned that CEZ's behaviour, in particular the hoarding of capacity in the transmission network, may have resulted in preventing the entry of competitors into the Czech wholesale electricity market. In November 2009, the Commission carried out inspections on the premises of CEZ and other companies. It points out in a press release that the opening of formal proceedings does not mean the Commission has proof of an infringement, but merely means that it will investigate the case as a matter of priority. (O.L./transl.jl)