SAO PAULO, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Brazilian power company Light SA said its board of directors had approved the sale of 137.2 million common shares, including 68.6 million new shares, according to a securities filing on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Reuters reported Light was preparing to raise over 3 billion real ($564 million) in a share sale, citing two people with knowledge of the matter.

The deal will allow Light shareholder Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais (Cemig), which owns a 22.6% stake in the utility, to sell its entire stake in Light.

Cemig has been divesting assets to pay down debts.

($1 = 5.3155 reais) (Reporting by Ana Mano Editing by Mark Potter)