Herbert Smith Freehills advises on industry-first NSW State Forest wind farm transaction

Herbert Smith Freehills has advised Mainstream Renewable Power (Mainstream) and Someva Renewables (Someva) on their successful joint venture bid for a renewable energy investigation permit from the Forestry Corporation of NSW.  

In an industry-first, Mainstream and Someva has been awarded a permit to start the investigation of a potential wind farm in the Sunny Corner State Forest in NSW with a potential capacity of approximately 500 MW. This could be one of the first wind farms to be hosted in a NSW State Forest.

Mainstream and Someva were one of four successful bidders to receive an investigation permit for renewable energy opportunities across State Forests in NSW, after a 15-month competitive tender and selection process.

HSF’s lead partner on the transaction, Alison Dodd, said: “This permit will kickstart Mainstream and Someva’s investigations of a wind farm in a NSW State Forest which could power around 300,000 homes, a milestone for the State’s renewable energy ambitions.

“We are delighted to support our clients Mainstream and Someva in this market-leading transaction with Forestry Corporation of NSW and we look forward to supporting the continued investigation of the Sunny Corner Wind Farm.”

Mainstream’s Group CEO Mary Quaney said: “We applaud the vision of the Forestry Corporation in seeking to diversify their land use to support the renewable energy transition, and we recognise the important role that Sunny Corner Wind Farm could play in New South Wales’ energy transition, providing clean, affordable and reliable power.”

Managing Director of Someva Renewables Jamie Chivers said: “Sunny Corner Wind Farm is a milestone opportunity for NSW and an example of how innovative renewable energy developments can help strengthen regional prosperity while also playing an important role in NSW’s energy transition. Similar wind farms are in operation in forests around the world and we are excited to be working with Mainstream Renewable Power on this project.”

“Someva appreciates the technical knowledge that Herbert Smith Freehills brought while ensuring a great start to the relationship with Forestry Corporation of NSW throughout the initial bid process,” Jamie said. Forestry Corporation of NSW manages more than two million hectares of State forests, including NSW's largest renewable timber production and plantation estate. Clayton Utz advised Forestry Corporation of NSW on the transaction.

The Herbert Smith Freehills cross-practice team was led by Projects, Energy & Infrastructure partners David Ryan and Alison Dodd, corporate senior associate Michael Trent, special counsel, Guy Narburgh and solicitors Blair Feng and Sarah-Anne Butler, with support from the Environment, Planning and Communities team, including partner, Peter Briggs, executive counsel Rebecca Davie and senior associate Tom Dougherty.

This deal is another example of Herbert Smith Freehills’ market-leading work in the energy sector. Other recent examples include the firm advising:

• the Victorian State Electricity Commission on its investment in Equis’ 1200MW Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub Project;
• Edify Energy on its development, financing and sale of the 185MW Koorangie Energy Storage System; and
• CIMIC Group company Pacific Partnerships on the project financing of the Glenrowan Solar Farm in northern Victoria.

Mainstream Renewable Power is a leading global renewable energy company with wind and solar assets across Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Someva Renewables is a 100% Australian owned renewable energy developer based in NSW.