Fortescue executive chairman Andrew Forrest says he is not ready to reveal the name nor cost of the five clean energy projects on which the company will take a final investment decision this year because he wants to maintain competitive tension between his project teams.

Despite the unusual level of secrecy over project details, Fortescue’s clean energy boss, Mark Hutchinson, said he was “certain” the company would have five projects ready for approval before Christmas, and those projects would ensure staff numbers within the clean energy division would increase over time.