WELLINGTON, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Australia's Origin Energy ORG.AX is to sell its controlling interest in New Zealand electricity generator and retailer Contact Energy Ltd CEN.NZ and use the proceeds to reduce debt, the company said on Tuesday.
Origin said it had an underwritten agreement to sell its 53.09 percent stake through a bookbuild at NZ$4.65 a share, a 7.3 percent discount to Contact's closing price on Monday.
Trading in shares in Contact were halted pending completion of the sale.
(Gyles Beckford; Editing by Dan Grebler)