2023 was just as intense a year in terms of regulated markets as 2022, although the energy crisis was coming to an end. A total of 1,055 administrative proceedings were conducted or measures taken within the framework of regulation procedures, of which the largest share was responding to various complaints and inquiries. The area of price regulation focused on proactive price supervision, where undertakings were actively urged to reduce prices for regulated services. Although the number of decisions taken in price proceedings regarding energy and water services fell from 389 to 298 in 2022, the impact across Estonia was comparable to the previous year, as some decisions included, for example, changes to 33 heating network areas simultaneously.
In the area of concentrations, the trends were influenced by the rise in borrowing money, which led to a further decrease in the number of undertakings wishing to concentrate. At the same time, one of the largest mergers in the region took place when the Competition Authority authorised the concentration of AS Maag Grupp, AS HKScan Estonia, AS HKScan Latvia and UAB HKScan Lietuva.
Competition Division
In 2023, 32 notices of concentration were submitted.
In total, the Competition Authority conducted proceedings in 38 cases, including 6 cases that came over from the previous year. In turn, 6 cases went over to 2024. For 26 concentrations, proceedings were conducted with a time limit of 30 calendar days.
For 6 concentrations, supplementary proceedings were initiated (ie 1+4 months), of which in turn
- in the case of 2 concentrations, the transaction was abandoned;
- in the case of 2 concentrations, permissions to concentrate were granted without obligations;
- 2 concentrations were granted with obligations;
- 1 of the proceedings will continue in 2024.
The transactions that were granted permission in 2023 were broken down by legal basis as follows:
- under clause 1 of subsection 1 of § 19 of the Competition Act (merger of undertak[1]ings) – 2 cases;
- under clause 2 of subsection 1 of § 19 of the Competition Act (acquiring dominant influence) – 26 cases;
- under clause 3 of subsection 1 of § 19 of the Competition Act (acquiring joint domi[1]nant influence) – 3 cases.
- In 4 cases, the concentration proceedings were suspended due to shortcomings in the notice of concentration.
Regulatory Division
A total of 1,055 administrative procedures/measures:
- 298 price proceedings
- 619 complaints/inquiries
- 87 activity permits/notices
- 6 market analyses
- 25 network rules, standard terms/methodologies
- 7 supervisory proceedings
- 13 court/challenge proceedings
The total turnover of the sectors in the areas of economic regulation is 1.8 billion euros, of which fees for economic regulation supervision are calculated. Monopoly services are used by 0.65 million consumers.
2023 is characterised by proactive supervision of monopoly services (maximum prices of heat, prices for electricity and gas network services and prices for water services). In connection with the fall in fuel and electricity prices, prices for regulated services were also brought down, which can be seen under the sectoral trends.