Firms advise on Australia’s largest solar PV farm

Firms advise on Australia’s largest solar PV farm

Herbert Smith Freehills, Ashurst, and Allens are among the advisors for what will be the largest solar PV farm in Australia.

The 275 MW(AC) Darlington Point Solar Farm will be located approximately 10km south of Darlington Point in western NSW and is scheduled to begin generating energy from 2020.

Edify Energy is developing the farm and a team from Ashurst has been advising the company. Funds managed by Octopus Investments are the majority shareholders in the project.

For Octopus, it’s a first investment in Australia and Allens partner and head of project finance Michael Ryan says it was exciting to work with the company.

“Octopus has a strong track record in Europe operating in sectors committed to making valuable contributions to society through their investments and it is really pleasing to see Octopus extending that commitment to Australia through such a significant renewable investment,” he said.

Herbert Smith Freehills has advised the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac Banking Corporation on the project financing for Darlington Point.

“We are delighted to have worked with dynamic teams at CBA and Westpac to support Edify Energy and Octopus Investments achieve a timely financial close prior to the end of 2018 on what will be Australia’s largest PV solar farm,” said partner Elizabeth Charlesworth who led the HSF team along with partners Alison Dodd and Peter Davis.

Jones Day names new Perth office leader

Global firm Jones Day has appointed Perth labor and employment partner Adam Salter as the office’s partner-in-charge.

Salter has 20 years of cross-border experience advising clients regarding labor & employment issues along with more than a decade of experience advising clients on Australian and cross-border M&A, outsourcing, and cybersecurity issues.

"Adam is highly respected in the Australian legal market," said Chris Ahern, partner-in-charge of Australia and Japan. "He is a great representative for Jones Day in the region and will be very effective in fostering the continued collaboration of our Perth lawyers with our peers in Jones Day offices around the world. I look forward to working closely with him in the months and years ahead."=

A&O arbitration co-head appointed QC

Mark Levy, co-head of the international arbitration practice at Allen & Overy, has been appointed Queen’s Counsel.

The London-based partner joined the firm as a trainee in 1995, qualified in 1997, and made partner in 2004. He specialises in energy disputes, both commercial and investment treaty cases and routinely appears as lead advocate.

Hong Kong based Global Co-Head of the International Arbitration Group, Matthew Gearing QC says the appointment is well deserved.

“He’s appeared before many of the world’s most eminent arbitrators,” he said. “And Mark’s fantastic track record for his clients in commercial, price review and investment treaty arbitrators speaks for itself.”