Public consultation open: Proposed offshore renewable energy infrastructure area off the NSW Hunter Coast

24 February, 2023
The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) announced yesterday that it is seeking public feedback on the possible effects of renewable energy projects off the NSW Hunter coast. This announcement follows last year’s declaration of part of Bass Strait off Victoria’s Gippsland coast as Australia’s first offshore renewable energy infrastructure … Read more

Electricity Generator Levy; draft legislation and revised technical note published

23 December, 2022
Background In the Autumn Statement, the government announced that it would introduce a tax on the extraordinary returns of electricity generators and published a technical note (here). HM Treasury has now published further details regarding the operation of the Electricity Generator Levy, including a revised technical note (here) and draft legislation (here). Read more

Sharm El-Sheikh COP 27 – day 3

11 November, 2022
Day 3- “Finance Day” Wednesday 9 November of COP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt was designated as “finance day”. The day was aimed at making progress on financial action to secure the objectives of the Paris Agreement (2015) and the Glasgow Climate Pact (2021). As defined by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change … Read more

Israel and Lebanon reach historic deal that will pave the way for offshore energy exploration in previously-contested areas of the Mediterranean Sea

18 October, 2022
During the second week of October, a historic agreement was agreed in principle between the Republic of Lebanon and the State of Israel over a maritime border dispute that had erupted more than a decade ago between the two countries. The agreement, which was brokered by the United States of America given the absence of … Read more

GENEX meet BESS Challenges and Opportunities

08 May, 2022
The PFI Global Energy Report 2022 includes a case study on GENEX’s recent financial close on their stand-alone 50MW/100MWh lithium-ion Bouldercombe Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This article was written by members of Energy Sector team, partners Elizabeth Charlesworth, Peter Davis, and Kristen Percy, with solicitor Antonia Xu. To access the PFI Global Energy Report … Read more

HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS IS NAMED AFRICA-WIDE PROJECTS & ENERGY LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR AT THE CHAMBERS AFRICA AWARDS 2022

18 January, 2022
Herbert Smith Freehills was named Africa-wide Projects & Energy Law Firm of the Year at the Chambers Africa Awards 2022. These awards recognise a law firm’s pre-eminence in key jurisdictions in the region and they also reflect achievements over the past 12 months, including outstanding work, impressive strategic growth and excellence in client service. In granting this … Read more

EP&C repost: Clean and just energy: How the renewable energy sector’s rapid growth can be managed without foregoing fundamental human rights

31 July, 2020
The renewable energy sector is leading the transition to a net-zero carbon economy, and was recognised again in the Climate Change Authority’s recent report as being fundamental to a sustainable recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. However, there is an increasing appreciation that ensuring immediate and long term steps in this clean energy transition also … Read more