UPDATE 1-Romania plans to halt energy selloffs

* To halt privatisations indefinitely

* May list minority stakes

(Adds details, background)

BUCHAREST, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Romania plans to halt the sale of state-owned energy sector assets indefinitely, although it would consider listing minority stakes, deputy Economy Minister Tudor Serban said on Wednesday.

Romania controls valuable energy-sector firms such as power grid operator Transelectrica TSEL.BX, gas producer Romgaz and gas transport grid operator Transgaz TGNM.BX.

While it has privatised most of its electricity distributors, it still controls the power producing sector, including hydro power plant Hidroelectrica and nuclear power operator Nuclearelectrica.

Major foreign power players such as Czech CEZ (CEZPsp.PR) or Italy's Enel (ENEI.MI) have said in recent years they were interested in Romania's power generation sector, which is in dire need of funds and upgrades either to comply with EU norms or to boost efficiency and output.

But plans to privatise have been placed on hold in recent years as successive post-communist governments have tried to overhaul the system and set up state-controlled energy holdings that would incorporate current assets.

"We feel right now that privatisation in strategic sectors should stop ... indefinitely," Serban told reporters on the sidelines of a financial seminar. "We are reserved, we have even problems with privatising ... to strategic investors."