The energy market has seen considerable change over the past decade and will continue to evolve even more as we transition from traditional energy sources such as coal and gas fired generators, through to greener sources of energy. The market and underlying technology to support the transition is rapidly advancing – requiring a legal services partner with technical excellence, detailed industry knowledge, and regulatory reform expertise. Our partners practice in the energy industry on a daily basis, regularly advising Governments and market bodies, retailers, generators, network service providers, financiers and developers across the full spectrum of the energy sector.
Our law firm’s experience in energy covers a range of asset classes, from conventional power (coal and gas fired) through to traditional core renewables (wind, solar, hydropower) and new energy technology (batteries, microgrids, hydrogen, waste to energy, carbon capture). We are here to support you through the entire life cycle of electricity, renewable energy and the technology paving the way for the new energy future.
Our full-service offering includes:
- Project development
- Project finance solutions
- Acquiring and divesting energy assets
- Negotiating project agreements
- Land options and leases, including rental and revenue-sharing arrangements
- Disputes and insolvency
- Investment platforms
- Tax
- State development and environmental approvals
- Federal environmental and Foreign Investment Review Board approvals
- Regulatory compliance
- Group reorganisations and reconstructions
- Services and infrastructure procurement
- Anti-trust and regulatory matters
- PPAs or other offtake agreements.
Our recent experience
- Zen Energy: Mallesons (Mallesons) has advised ZEN Energy (Zen) on the development of the Templers Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in South Australia (SA).
- advised a syndicate of lenders on the A$400m project financing for the development of a 200MW/800MWh Battery Energy Storage System. Mallesons advised the syndicate comprising Westpac Banking Corporation, Standard Chartered Bank, Export Development Canada and Société Générale on the project financing. The MREH project has been developed by Equis and is supported by a significant co-investment from the Victorian Government-owned State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV).
- Stonepeak: advised leading alternative investment firm Stonepeak on acquiring a preferred equity interest in AGP Sustainable Real Assets (AGP). AGP invests in, develops and operates sustainable real assets across renewable energy, infrastructure and communities, and natural capital. The investment seeks to integrate energy and community infrastructure, developing innovative sustainable solutions that meet Australia’s renewable energy targets and the needs of an evolving society.
- APA: advised leading Australian energy infrastructure business, APA Group on its $1.7 billion acquisition of Alinta Energy’s Pilbara business. This business, located in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, is underpinned by contracted operational assets (gas and solar power generation, gas transmission, battery energy storage systems and electricity transmission), together with an extensive development pipeline of projects.
- ACT Government: advised ACT Government on the appointment of global specialist energy storage business, Eku Energy to deliver, operate and own a large-scale battery storage facility as the next stage of the Big Canberra Battery. The Big Canberra Battery project will improve renewable energy security, help the growth of the ACT energy sector, provide more local employment opportunities, and deliver a positive financial return for the Territory.
- Transgrid: advised Transgrid on an underwriting agreement with the Commonwealth to expedite and secure orders for critical transmission equipment that will accelerate the delivery of essential transmission infrastructure for Australia’s energy transition. The underwriting agreement will enable Transgrid to bundle their procurement for major projects such as HumeLink, VNI West and Energy Connect, to enable it to compete globally for highly-sought-after equipment and deliver critical infrastructure faster and cheaper for consumers.
- AEMO Services on Tender Rounds 2 and 3 of the long term service agreement tender - a key platform of the NSW Government's Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and first of its kind government energy policy initiative.
- Lightsource Development Services Australia Pty Limited on the sale of its 1GWP Australian solar farm portfolio to Beijing Energy International Holding Co., Ltd.
- QIC on the development on the Powering Australia Renewables Fund (PARF) a first of its kind A$3 billion initiative designed to drive investment in large-scale renewable projects. Mallesons was also involved in some of PARF’s largest investments including the Silverton and Coopers Gap Wind Farms.
- Energy Security Board on the National Energy Guarantee, Retailer Reliability Obligation, Integrated System Plan and reliability reforms.
- Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) in relation to the financing of Phase 3 of South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant (SA VPP), a network of solar and Tesla Powerwall home battery systems across the state that will form the world’s largest virtual power plant when fully developed.
- Lochard Energy in its damages claim against EnergyAustralia, concerning its purchase of Iona Gas Storage Facility for over AD$1 billion.
