A2A, Eni's Italgas Offer Remedies To End Antitrust Probe

Italian energy companies Italgas SpA and A2A SpA (A2A.MI) have presented remedies aimed at ending a probe into possible market abuse, the country's antitrust body said Wednesday.

According to a document published on the regulator's Web site, Italgas said it will guarantee a timely and secure response procedure when asked by rivals for clients that have switched suppliers and that are using its natural gas meters. A2A has also proposed to introduce measures that won't discourage the switching process.

In May, the Italian regulator said it had started a probe into Italgas and municipal utility A2A for the possible abuse of their dominant position in the electricity and gas markets.

The antitrust body started the investigation, also into Rome-based municipal utility Acea SpA (ACE.MI), after receiving a complaint from rival utility Sorgenia SpA. The regulator also said Acea has made proposals that seek to end the probe.

The regulator said third parties can make comments on the proposals by April 26.

Italgas is owned by Snam Rete Gas SpA (SRG.MI), which in turn is controlled by Eni SpA (E).

Antitrust Web site: http://www.agcm.it

-By Liam Moloney, Dow Jones Newswires; [phone]; [e-mail]