Closing of investigation no. III_51_1_2023 – tenders for solar panel installation

The Integrity Authority has found that several companies dealing in solar panels had engaged in collusive practices in European Union tenders, thereby restricting competition. Therefore, the Authority has turned to the Hungarian Competition Authority.

Following up on a notification, the Integrity Authority has conducted an investigation ex officio into the grant applications submitted under Call for tenders no. VP6-7.2.1.4-17 entitled “Household-scale development of electricity, water supply and sewage management on small farms” of the Rural Development Programme.

According to the notification, the successful tenderer ensured, by engaging in collusive practices with two other tenderers to exclude fair market price competition, that its own bids were always the most favourable and successful bids in the tenders concerning the installation of solar panel systems.

The Authority has identified coordinated submission of bids in 22 cases. The bids of those companies that submitted unsuccessful bids in the grant application were also submitted via the email address of the winning tenderer.

In the case of two grant-supported projects, the Authority has found that there was a risk of unfair market practices and restriction of competition in connection with the tenderers, which the Authority reported to the Hungarian Competition Authority. According to the Authority, competition-restricting practices may have led to the misuse of European Union funds.

There is no direct contact amongst the companies, but the sites of certain companies are adjacent to one another.