Matthew Selth
Matthew is a project finance specialist, who advises clients on the financing of energy and infrastructure transactions.
Matthew advises sponsors, borrowers, export credit agencies, multi-lateral agencies and commercial lenders on financing the development and acquisition of projects both in Australia and internationally.
Matthew’s practice focuses on renewable energy, infrastructure, conventional power, oil & gas and petrochemical projects.
He is particularly experienced in assisting clients with complex transactions in situations where there is limited precedent or established market.
Background
Matthew holds a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in finance and accounting) and Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne.
Matthew’s experience outside Herbert Smith Freehills includes time at a top-tier law firm in London from 2018 to 2022, as well as secondments to a global toll road operator in Melbourne and a solar developer in Sydney.
Experience & expertise
Selected matters
- the sponsors or bank syndicates on the financing arrangements for numerous Australian wind farms including Bald Hills Wind Farm, White Rock Wind Farm, Collgar Wind Farm, Stockyard Hill Wind Farm, Mt Gellibrand Wind Farm and Willogoleche Wind Farm
- the sponsors or bank syndicates on the financing arrangements for numerous Australian solar farms including Clare Solar Farm, Lillyvale Solar Farm, Moree Solar Farm, Collinsvile Solar Farm, Barcaldine Solar Farm and Gullen Solar Farm
- the successful QIC, OMERS and Global Infrastructure Partners led consortium on the financing arrangements for the A$9.7 billion acquisition of the Port of Melbourne long-term lease and assets
- an underbidder on the financing of its bid for transmission network owner Transgrid
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development as VAT lender on the financing for the 500MW Zarafshan wind power plant in Uzbekistan, the first wind IPP and first MLA provided VAT facility to reach financial close in the country (awarded IJ Global Asia Pacific Renewables Deal of the Year 2022 and PFI Central Asian Deal of the Year 2022)*
- the export credit agencies and commercial lenders on the financing arrangements for the USD5.5billion STAR Refinery Project in Turkey, the largest ever project financing in the country (awarded IJ Global European oil & gas refinancing deal of the year 2021)*
- European Infrastructure Bank on the additional financing of Athens International Airport*
- MIRA and Sunsuper on the financing of the EUR1.8bn acquisition of a 50.1% ownership share in Czech Gas Networks*
*Experience gained at other law firm
Sectors
