Norton Rose Fulbright assists RES on development of 180MW Dulacca Wind Farm

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised RES on the development of the 180 MW Dulacca Wind Farm in Queensland. The project achieved financial close on 27 August 2021. RES is the world’s largest independent renewable energy company and is based in the UK with Australian offices in Sydney and Melbourne.

Working with RES from the early stages of the development in 2019, the Norton Rose Fulbright team, led by partner Steven Choi, assisted RES in preparing and negotiating various agreements to engage Vestas – Australian Wind Technology Pty Ltd as the EPC and long-term operation and maintenance contractor for this project.

The Dulacca Wind Farm project will generate between 150-200 direct jobs during the construction period and will offer a community benefit fund for the local Dulacca and Drillham communities to provide funding opportunities for local projects, community groups and organisations.

Matt Rebbeck, RES’ CEO in Australia said:

“This is yet another quality development project from RES and we are grateful for the support of the forward-thinking local council. We are very excited about seeing this project come to life and seeing the creation of opportunities for the local communities, including those through the creation of the community fund. This is another project that the RES team has developed from start to finish and we are excited to be continuing our involvement through both the construction management and then the ongoing asset management once it is operational.”

Norton Rose Fulbright’s Steven Choi commented:

“We are pleased to have closed another renewable energy project with the RES team. We worked closely together to find the right solutions and risk allocations to deal with all the challenges currently facing wind farm projects in Australia, especially around grid connection risk and potential delays to procurement and the works caused by COVID-19 impacts. The completion of this project marks the next step in Australia’s energy transition.”

Steven Choi was supported by senior associate Paul Hedderwick and associates Soorim Cha and Josh Hayes. Jo Crew, Norton Rose Fulbright’s head of projects and construction in Australia, and partner Emanuel Confos also supported the team.

In addition to acting for RES, a separate Norton Rose Fulbright team, led by partner Luke van Grieken, assisted Vestas in preparing and negotiating key subcontracts for this project. This included the electrical balance of plant subcontract RJE Global Pty Ltd and the civil balance of plant subcontract with MPC Group Pty Ltd. Luke van Grieken was supported by senior associate Andrew North and associate Lachlan Wood.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s other recent energy work includes:

• advising on the world’s largest proposed green hydrogen development, the 56GW Western Green Energy Hub in WA;
• supporting the consortium on the 26gw Asian Renewable Hub in WA;
• being appointed by the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources to advise on the development of a streamlined hydrogen legal framework to ensure Australia remains at the forefront of the hydrogen revolution;
• advising TotalEnergies on the synthetic divestment a minority interest in the Gladstone LNG Project;
• advising Shell on its US$2.5 billion sale of a minority interest in the QCLNG Common Facilities; and
• advising Vestas Australia in respect of AUD$415 million receivables purchase arrangements.