Foreign corporations for the generation, production, transmission, distribution, sale or utilization of gas, electricity or steam for lighting, heating, power, manufacturing or other purposes, which are duly qualified to do business in this state and are public utilities under the New Mexico Public Utility Act, Section 62-3-1, et seq., 1978, Annotated [Chapter 62, Articles 1 to 6 and 8 to 13 NMSA 1978], shall have the same rights and privileges including the power of eminent domain as domestic corporations of like character.