EU to fine power transformer cartel firms-sources

BRUSSELS Oct 6 (Reuters) - The European Commission is set to fine a number of companies as early as Wednesday as it has concluded they took part in a power transformer cartel, sources close to the matter told Reuters.

A European Commission spokesman said the EU's executive could not confirm.

Swiss engineering group ABB (ABBN.VX) and Japan's Toshiba Corp (6502.T) among others, earlier confirmed they had received a statement of objections from the Commission.

Other companies that have received notices from the Commission included German industrial group Siemens SIEGn.N, Areva CEPFi.PA, Alstom (ALSO.PA), Hitachi (6501.T), Fuji Electric (6504.T).

"The Commission will very likely decide tomorrow about the cartel fines", said the person familiar with the situation. Another source, also close to the proceedings, confirmed the plans.

Last year, the competition watchdog of the 27-nation European Union, said it had suspected a number of companies for alleged participation in a cartel.

The Commission sent members of the group a statement of objections, known as a charge sheet, but did not publicly identify them.

The source would not give details on the amount of the fines. (Reporting by Bate Felix and Illona Wissenbach)