No green light was given to US company Infinite Power Clean Energy PTE Fiji Ltd (IPC) to operate its wind turbines in Fiji, the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) has confirmed.

Responding to queries by The Fiji Times, FCCC issued a statement clarifying the situation, which had led to the Government’s cancellation yesterday of two Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) contracts signed by IPC and two government agencies.

“The FCCC has not given the regulatory green light to IPC as the required processes have yet to be followed and the necessary application has not been lodged,” FCCC stated.

“As mandated under Section 5(1) of the Electricity Act 2017, FCCC is the Independent Regulator for the electricity sector, in charge of regulating existing electricity operators, as well as newer entrants into the sector.

“FCCC is responsible for issuing the Generation, Transmission and Supply Licenses to operators and in line with this responsibility, Independent Power Producers (IPP) undergo a stringent licensing process. The preliminary portion of this process involves consultations with FCCC.”

IPC chief executive officer Robert Beam had expressed disappointment after hearing the Government’s decision to declare the PPA contracts “unenforceable”, saying he would take legal action.

The company had signed PPAs with the Fiji Sports Council and the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry to provide power for ice plants and sporting facilities around Fiji and Rotuma.