PP&L Resources, Inc., confirmed Thursday (5/16) that its independent power subsidiary, Power Markets Development Company, is negotiating to acquire a minority interest in South Western Electricity SWEB) in the United Kingdom.

Power Markets Development recently submitted a proposal for the purchase of an interest in Southern Investments-UK, the holding company for SWEB, from Southern Electric International. As a result of the proposal, PMDC is in discussions with Southern Electric regarding the possible purchase. At this time, PMDC has not concluded any agreement to purchase a part of Southern Investments-UK.

Should a purchase be completed, Southern Electric International, which traditionally includes other investors in its international holdings, intends to maintain majority ownership and management control of Southern Investments-UK and SWEB.

Southern Electric International is a subsidiary of the Atlanta-based Southern Company. Southern Electric acquired SWEB, a regional electric utility, last fall.

PMDC, formed by PP&L Resources in 1994, has investments in Latin America and is exploring additional ventures there as well as in India and Europe.

PP&L Resources, based in Allentown, also is the parent company of Pennsylvania Power & Light Co., which provides electricity service to 1.2 million customers in eastern and central Pennsylvania.