Herbert Smith Freehills advises Synergy on the development and financing of major wind farm expansion

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has advised Synergy on the development and financing of the expansion of the Warradarge Wind Farm, to be acquired by the renewable energy investment vehicle established by Synergy with CVC DIF and CBUS Super, ‘Bright Energy Investments’ (BEI).

HSF has now advised Synergy in relation to a number of BEI owned renewable energy assets in Western Australia, including Stage 1 of the Warradarge Wind Farm, construction of the expansion of the Greenough River Solar Farm and the operation and maintenance of the Albany Grasmere Wind Farm.

The expansion will add 30 wind turbine generators to the existing 51 turbine wind farm, providing an additional 108 MW of capacity to the South West Interconnected System.

The HSF team covered all aspects of the transaction and was led by the partner team that has advised Synergy on the BEI platform since 2016.

The construction, operation and maintenance, connection and PPA work was led by Projects, Energy & Infrastructure partner Dan Zador, executive counsel Jacques Guiffre, senior associate Yannis Vrodos and solicitors Sean Frewin, Edwin Botha and Keely Morphett. Finance partner Andrew McLean, senior associate Kai Low and solicitors Samantha Gates and Steven Boughton led on the project financing. Corporate partner Simon Reed, executive counsel Charlotte Cameron, senior associate Geoff Kerrigan and solicitor Sam Jones led on the equity and development services arrangements of the transaction.

Dan Zador said: “The expansion nature of the project added an extra layer of complexity, particularly with respect to the construction of a second stage of the wind farm in and amongst an operating facility, as well as the on-market offtake arrangements.

"It has been a privilege to continue to support the Synergy team across all aspects of the Warradarge Wind Farm project and help progress the State’s energy transition goals.”