Czech watchdog halts probe into CEZ coal contract

PRAGUE, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The Czech anti-monopoly office (UOHS) halted a probe into power firm CEZ <CEZPsp.PR> after the firm agreed to change the pricing structure contained in one of its coal purchase contracts, UOHS said on Tuesday.

UOHS had said CEZ may be discriminating against brown coal miner Sokolovska Uhelna by granting it a significantly lower price increase as of January this year than to other suppliers.

"In the proceedings CEZ offered guarantees, which UOHS accepted, as sufficient and leading to a remedy of the current situation," UOHS said in a statement.

It said CEZ would raise prices it pays for the coal and agreed to sign a contract with Sokolovska lasting for the life of the mine.

No fine was levied on CEZ, the largest power company in central Europe. ((Reporting by Jan Lopatka, editing by David Holmes; prague.newsroom@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: jan.lopatka.reuters.com@reuters.net; +420-224 190 474))

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Keywords: CEZ COMPETITION/