Construction is expected to start in three months for the $188m facility
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Three global giants have helped move a new solar farm in New South Wales closer to reality.
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) advised Spark Infrastructure on its acquisition of Bomen Solar Farm, which is being built near Wagga Wagga, NSW. The solar farm was acquired from Renew Estate.
Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) advised Renew Estate on the development and sale of Bomen, as well as Renew’s agreement with Westpac on a new power purchase agreement to source 63 gigawatt-hours from the project. Westpac was advised by King & Wood Mallesons (KWM).
Construction of the Bomen Solar Farm is expected to commence in the next three months. The project is expected to cost about $188m.
HSF’s team was headed by partners Philip Podzebenko, Kristen Percy, Peter Davis, Toby Anderson, and John Angus. They were supported by senior associates Jayne Walker, Francine Kinkade, Tom Hoare, David Ong, Laurelle Ko, Kimberly Lean, and Steven Catanzariti, and solicitors Catie Moore, William He, Jack McDonell, Jacqui Fetchet, and Julia Hollis.
NRF fielded a cross-practice team to advice on the deal. The team was led by corporate partner Martin Irwin, environment and planning partner Noni Shannon, regulatory partner Claire Forster, project finance partner Jo Crew and real estate partner Mike McKee.
“The sale continues the strong pipeline of renewable energy deals Norton Rose Fulbright has transacted in the last 12 months, including industry deal award recipients Sunraysia solar farm, the Kwinana WtE and Vast Solar’s Jemalong West Plant,” Irwin said.
Paul Lingard, co-head of the NRF energy practice in the Asia-Pacific region, has a bright outlook on the renewable-sector pipeline in Australia.
“The pace of Australian renewables deals shows no sign of abating, as the country continues to invest in its changing energy mix to ensure a greater variability in power supply. Deals such as this require in-depth energy industry knowledge and the combination of legal advisors with diverse skills – from corporate M&A, project finance, permitting, real estate, environment and planning, construction and engineering, and competition – as well as having an ambitious client, in Renew Estate, to work with,” he said.
The NRF team was supported by partners Rob White and Emanuel Confos; senior consultant Karel Potgieter; special counsel Steven Choi, senior associates Johann Spies, Nicola Pearl, Claire Whitney, Stuart Robertson, Bianca Fernandes; associates Shen Low, Paul Hedderwick, Laura Waterford, Danielle Sterling, Jennifer Naulu, and Liya Wu; and lawyer Kit Man Cheng.
