French gas firm facing EU probe

The EU is concerned about the lack of competition in the sector

Gaz de France (GDF) has said it has received a complaint from the European Commission over suspected collusion with German utility E.ON.

The "statement of objections" relate to the French and German domestic gas markets, GDF said.

The state-controlled firm said that it would provide the commission with "all the information it requires".

GDF is already being investigated over whether it had abused its market position by limiting gas imports.

The EU's latest complaint "voices its suspicions of collusion with E.ON resulting in the restriction of competition on their respective national markets regarding, in particular, deliveries of natural gas transported via the MEGAL pipeline," GDF said.

The EU is concerned that there has been only limited competition in European gas and electricity markets, despite the liberalisation of the sector.