THE Department of Energy (DoE) has confirmed talk that two solar energy projects previously endorsed to receive a guaranteed fixed rate for their power output were recommended for exclusion from the feed-in-tariff (FiT) scheme.
Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said the department had received the recommendation of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on how to proceed with the contentious certificate of endorsement (CoE) issued by the previous government.
Mr. Cusi previously said that he instructed the creation of a task force to investigate allegations that the certificates were not fairly given out. Members of solar industry associations have previously sought a meeting with the secretary to point out alleged irregularities.
The DoE’s endorsement is given before the ERC issues each qualified solar project developer a certificate of compliance, which is then reviewed by the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) as basis before issuing a renewable energy payment agreement, or REPA. TransCo issues the agreement, which the developers use to support their claim to the guaranteed FiT rate.
Asked about how the issue would be resolved, Mr. Cusi said the exclusion of the two solar developers will not mean their slots would be awarded to new entrants. He did not identify the two entities.
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Winnergy Holdings Corp. 