Bulgaria's competition regulator fined the local power distribution units of Czech energy groups CEZ and Energo-Pro and of Austria's EVN for abuse of dominant position, it said on Tuesday.
The Commission for Protection of Competitionimposed fines of 558,446 levs ($315,000/285,500 euro), 441,380 levs and 167,256 levs, respectively, on CEZ Bulgaria, EVN and Energo-Pro for charging unreasonably high prices for the usage of their low-voltage poles, it said in a press release on Tuesday.
Later in the day the three power distribution companies issued press releases saying they will appeal the fines.
CEZ stepped in Bulgaria in November 2004. Its operations cover the capital Sofia and parts of western and northern Bulgaria.
EVN supplies electricity to some 1.6 million customers in southeastern Bulgaria.
Since June 2012 Energo-Pro has been the power supplier of northeastern Bulgaria.