Power utility Eskom on Friday released a list of names of developers to be involved in its electricity programme.

The 23-member list includes AES Energy Developments, International Power, Independent Power Southern Africa group, and Aviva Corporation/GDF Suez.

According to Eskom the developers have been unconditionally pre-qualified to produce electricity under the utility's multi-site independent power producer programme.

The list contains both national and international developers.

"Eskom has been designated as the single buyer of power from IPPs in South Africa; successful IPPs will sign long-term power purchase agreements with the utility," said the company in a statement.

The developers would be issued with a request for proposals by the end of November while final bidding will end in May 2009.

Sapa