The Bulgarian state is considering selling its share in Sofia's Toplofikatsia heating supply company.

Standart daily reported that Economy and Energy Minister Petar Dimitrov, representatives of the World Bank (WB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) had met to discuss the issue. The WB and EBRD are Toplofikatsia's creditors on state-guaranteed loans.

The state has 42 per cent of Toplofikatsia. The majority owner is Sofia's municipal council, which has 58 per cent.

The EBRD loan was provided several years ago on condition that Toplofikatsia would attract at least one private investor. This requirement has not been met, leading to the company forfeiting nearly 15 million euro of the loan.

Experts preparing Toplofikatsia's privatisation face a problem in dealing with the company's close to 150 million leva debt to Bulgarian gas supplier Bulgargaz.

Energy giants Gasprombank, Dalkia, EVN, and CEZ have already shown interest in Toplofikatsia.