Energy

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Advising clients on all aspects of their core business activities and project pipeline, as well as the regulatory environment they operate in.

There are significant regulatory changes along with systemic and new challenges facing the energy and resources sectors, both in New Zealand and around the world.

Ranked Band 1 by independent legal directory Chambers Asia Pacific, our multi-disciplinary team has a long involvement in the New Zealand energy and resources sector. 

Clients value our pragmatic approach and hands-on industry knowledge gleaned from working on all sides – as in-house counsel, external professional advisers, regulators and as the regulated. This unique, hands-on expertise has been acknowledged by board appointments in both the public and private sector.

We advise clients on all aspects of their business activities and future development projects, whether developing new infrastructure or decommissioning assets to be phased out. Our team prides itself on providing an end-to-end solution, delivered by specialists at each stage of a project’s lifecycle. We are experienced in managing energy projects from start to finish.  

Our work is diverse, we are strongly represented across upstream and mid-stream infrastructure projects and advise downstream and retail businesses across all energy forms such as fuels, gas and electricity. We have worked on the full range of renewable energy projects including solar farm developments, hydro generating assets, wind farms, geothermal plants, waste to energy and hydrogen projects. 

We also assist energy companies involved in LPG, petroleum and coal to transition to lower emission profiles. 


They are leaders in their field with multiple divisions in the wider organisation to tackle all manner of tasks on complicated commissions. Chambers Asia-Pacific 2023

 

Recent highlights
Mercury’s Turitea wind farm project

The Turitea Wind Farm Project is a nationally significant project, and the country's largest windfarm, contributing to New Zealand’s wider climate change objectives and global commitments. Advising Mercury in a project counsel capacity during the delivery phases of both the wind farm construction and transmission line construction. 

First of its kind hydrogen project

Lead advisers to the Ports of Auckland on the legal, commercial, and strategic aspects of the New Zealand’s first hydrogen plant and refuelling station.

Renewable energy project and template PPA

Advising a group of major energy users in New Zealand on a ‘Renewable Energy Generation Project’. Providing strategic advice regarding the power purchase structure and the drafting and negotiation of power purchase agreements (PPAs) to be entered into with potential renewable energy generators and developers. 

Renewable energy projects in New Zealand and the Pacific

Advising Infratec, a provider of core competencies in renewable energy, electrical distribution and alternative fuels including solar solutions in New Zealand and the Pacific. 

Proposed 26.7MW solar farm development

Engaged by Channel Infrastructure (formerly Refining NZ) to provide advice for the development of a 31-hectare solar farm to supply 26.7MW. 

Waste-to-energy facility

Advising a global environmental management company, on its joint venture with a New Zealand company to undertake feasibility studies in relation to the build and operation of a waste-to-energy facility.

New Zealand’s first biodiesel plant

Advising Z Energy on the technology acquisition, design, construction, and commercialisation of New Zealand’s first bio-diesel plant. Assisting Z Energy in taking the project from the research phase through to commercialisation and operation.

Conversion of New Zealand's only oil refinery to an import terminal

Our firm supported Channel Infrastructure (formerly Refining NZ) throughout the strategic review process, subsequent restructure, and conversion project (worth $220 million), together with its capital raising for private storage services.

Carbon tax dispute with Genesis Energy

Acting for Beach Energy in a high profile $100 million arbitration against Genesis Energy Ltd, a major New Zealand electricity company part owned by the New Zealand government. The arbitration concerned who was contractually responsible for the cost of carbon emission units associated with production of gas under a Gas Supply Agreement.

Joining forces to sequester carbon

Advising four large New Zealand listed companies (Air NZ, Contact Energy, Genesis Energy, Z Energy) on the establishment of Dryland Carbon, a limited liability partnership that has seen them invest in the establishment of a geographically diversified forest portfolio to sequester carbon.