Eight leading firms have acted for the various groups connected to the funding by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) of three large-scale solar farm projects.
Allens advised ARENA on the funding for the Kidston, Collinsville, and White Rock solar farms, which have combined project costs of $274m. The three major solar farms, which are expected to reach commissioning by 31 March 2018, are part of the 12 projects to receive funding from ARENA as part of the agency’s large-scale solar competitive round.
Baker McKenzie acted for Genex, the developer of the 50MW Kidston plant in Queensland.
Ashurst was counsel for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and Société Générale, which are also involved in the project.
DLA Piper and Weidama Van Tol acted for RATCH-Australia, the developer of the 42.5MW Collinsville project in Queensland.
Herbert Smith Freehills acted for the CEFC, the senior financier of the project.
Acting for Goldwind Australia, the developer of the 20MW White Rock project in New South Wales, was
Norton Rose Fulbright, Ashurst, and HSF.
Allens fielded a team from its banking and finance group, led by partner Rob Watt. The team included senior associates Sarah Glenn and Jamie Guthrie, and lawyers Jessica O’Sullivan and Natasha Ng.
“The provision of funding by ARENA in large-scale solar PV represents a crucial contribution to the development of clean, sustainable energy in Australia. This funding round has laid the foundation for a more competitive market and will accelerate reliability and confidence in renewable energy,” Watt said.
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