There is a suspicion that Kansai Electric Power's full-scale sales in the jurisdiction of another electric power company triggered the cartel in connection with the problem that major electric power companies formed a cartel over the sale of electric power. was found through interviews with stakeholders.
The Fair Trade Commission plans to order Chugoku Electric Power Co., Chubu Electric Power Co., Kyushu Electric Power Co., etc. to pay a total of more than 100 billion yen in penalties, and will decide the final disposal in the future.
Chugoku Electric Power Co., Chubu Electric Power Co., Kyushu Electric Power Co., and Kansai Electric Power Co. were accused of forming a cartel last year, including by agreeing not to acquire customers in each other's business areas over electricity sales to business operators. It was inspected by the Trade Commission.
According to people involved, after the full liberalization of the electricity retail market in 2016, Kansai Electric Power Company began full-scale operations within the jurisdiction of other electric power companies, and competition began, prompting discussions between the companies. It is said that there is a suspicion that a cartel has been tied since around 2018.
As a result of the investigation, the Japan Fair Trade Commission decided to order Chugoku Electric Power Co., Chubu Electric Power Co., its sales subsidiary, and Kyushu Electric Power Co. to pay surcharges totaling more than 100 billion yen, and notified the companies. So, after listening to the opinions, we will decide the final disposition.
The fine is expected to be the highest ever.
On the other hand, according to people involved, Kansai Electric is the first to voluntarily report the violation before the investigation began, so it is expected to be exempted from the fine.
After the full liberalization of the electric power retail market, new electric power companies have entered the market one after another, and competition has intensified.