The Turkish Competition Authority (TCA) has concluded its investigation into anti-competitive practices within the power and distribution transformer industry, resulting in substantial fines for several companies. The investigation, initiated in 2023, sought to determine if certain firms violated Act No. 4054 on the Protection of Competition through collusion and price coordination.
On March 13, 2025, the TCA’s Competition Board issued decision number 25-10/246-126, imposing administrative fines on multiple companies. Notably, SEM Transformatör AŞ (SEM) applied for a settlement, admitting to violating Article 4 of Act No. 4054. This admission led to a 25% reduction in their fine, resulting in a penalty of 42,379,948.55 Turkish Lira (approximately $1,156,000 USD).
The fines imposed on other companies are as follows:
- Astor Enerji AŞ and EFG Elektrik Enerji AŞ (Economic Unity): 339,807,744.37 TL (approximately $9,276,000 USD)
- Balıkesir Elektromanyetik Sanayi Tesisleri AŞ: 69,033,435.02 TL (approximately $1,884,000 USD)
- Beta Enerji ve Teknoloji AŞ: 32,315,343.47 TL (approximately $882,000 USD)
- Ekos Teknoloji ve Ticaret AŞ: 12,736,611.33 TL (approximately $348,000 USD)
- Eltaş Transformatör Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ: 13,519,367.79 TL (approximately $369,000 USD)
- Eva Elektromekanik Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ: 7,231,510.29 TL (approximately $197,000 USD)
- Monokon Elektrik Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ: 898,433.90 TL (approximately $25,000 USD)
- Ulusoy Elektrik İmalat Taahhüt ve Ticaret AŞ: 19,272,557.17 TL (approximately $526,000 USD)
Additionally, the TCA identified other economic unities, including Armtek Elektrik Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ, ATS Elektrik Pano Sanayi Ticaret Ltd. Şti., Girişim Elektrik Sanayi Taahhüt ve Ticaret AŞ, and Europower Enerji ve Otomasyon Teknolojileri Sanayi Ticaret AŞ, as subjects for administrative fines. However, due to the “ne bis in idem” legal principle, which prevents double jeopardy, no new fines were imposed on these entities under this investigation.
Furthermore, the TCA concluded that Grid Solutions Enerji Endüstrisi AŞ, HITACHI TR Energy Turkey Elektrik Sanayi AŞ, Kontrolmatik Teknoloji Enerji ve Mühendislik AŞ, and Meksan Trafo Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti. did not require administrative fines.
The products involved in this investigation, including power and distribution transformers, switchgears, and concrete kiosks, are essential components in transforming electric voltage and ensuring safety during power distribution.
