Bulgaria's power and heating plants are ready for winter, and state gas firm Bulgargaz has enough gas for the cold months, energy minister Iva Petrova told parliament's energy committee.

Answering an MP's question, she said her view rests on checks she ordered in September. Most are done, and the rest will continue in October.

Petrova said companies are meeting their legal duties and, where needed, have set up crisis and emergency teams. Gas is still being pumped into the Chiren underground storage site, she said, and this will give enough for the winter months.

The biggest worries are over Toplofikatsia Sofia, the capital's district heating company. Some repairs to the heating network are not finished. "We have assurances from Toplofikatsia Sofia that it will be ready when the heating season starts," the minister said.

Petrova is concerned about the state of the network and the quality of service for customers. She said the company's problems come from its debts to Bulgargaz and the Bulgarian Energy Holding.