My expertise spans regulatory issues, contract negotiation and drafting, hedging and risk management, renewable energy and market by-pass issues, as well as approvals, access and facilitation of major Asia-Pacific energy infrastructure projects. I have also advised on multiple acquisitions and divestments of significant Australian energy facilities. My general front-end corporate and commercial law advisory also draws upon three years’ practice in the Cayman Islands providing corporate and trading advice to offshore investment and private equity funds.

Career highlights

• Stanwell, CleanCo, EDF, Pacific Partnerships, Vestas, Boer Energy, Risen and others: acting in the acquisition, development and offtake from multiple renewable energy and BESS developments.
• Rio Tinto: acting on the recently announced offtake from the Calliope Solar Farm, the largest solar PPA in Australia
• Queensland Government: assisted with the acquisition of the $5B Copperstring transmission project and the development of the Queensland Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act 2024
• CleanCo: advising on the development of the Swanbank battery in Queensland.
• Energex: advised on the contractual agreement with Origin Energy to install 35 neighbourhood batteries across Ipswich, Queensland.
• IKEA: advised on the acquisition and development of a roof-top solar system and microgrid for their Adelaide premises.
• Pumped hydro facility: Advised a short-listed bidder on their proposed acquisition of an equity stake in the Genex pumped hydro plant, and another party in relation to the proposed acquisition of a pumped hydro plant in Queensland

Publications

• Renewable Energy 2022: expert and practical cross-border insights into renewable energy laws and regulations. Australian chapter. International Comparative Legal Guide, 2nd edition.

Education
LLB

• Member, Queensland Law Society
• Member, Keystone Alumni Association
• Secondments:
  - Stanwell, Acting Legal Counsel, 4 months, 2006
  - Energex, 3 months, 2001
  - Incitec, 6 months, 2000

• Ban of embedded networks in Victoria
  

  The Victorian Government intends to reform the regulatory framework for embedded networks in residential sites. We summarise key recommendations of its Embedded Networks Review Final Recommendation Report.

• Essential System Services scheduling and ahead mechanisms
  

  Immediate, near term and longer term reforms to improve power system security and accommodate batteries and other emerging new technologies.

• MinterEllison 2023 report finds investor confidence in renewable assets
  

  Investors to increase holdings in Australian renewable assets with NSW most attractive location.

  
  
• FINSights in Energy | The rising role of Corporate PPAs
  

  Corporate Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) are an increasingly important part of a corporate’s risk management strategy and there are various structural and resourcing issues that corporates need to consider.

• Procuring renewable energy for off-grid mines
  

  Mining accounts for nearly a fifth of Australia’s total energy consumption. At the recent International Mining and Resources Conference 2022, we explored how mines can use renewable energy in their operations.

• Three success factors for Battery Energy Storage System projects
  

  Developing a battery energy storage system is not without its challenges and risks. We recommend 3 critical factors to realise a successful BESS project.

• Positive outlook for investing in Australian renewables
  

  What does 2021 hold for investors in Australian renewables? We ask 100 Australian and overseas investors in the renewable energy sector for their insights.

• Integration of DER and demand side participation
  

  Immediate, near term and longer term reforms to give consumers more choice and control over their energy options. Plus a summary of the arguments for and against.

• Big gas pipeline reforms looming
  

  Major gas pipeline reforms are expected to take effect in 2022. We explore the reforms and their implications.

   

• Keeping the lights on during the COVID-19 pandemic
  Energy companies are facing potentially conflicting requirements, as they transition to a mobile or remote workforce in accordance with government directives and medical advice, but remain bound by pre-existing system security regulations that require services to be resourced onsite.
• Electricity Market Reforms: Market redesign for 2025
  

  National Cabinet has agreed to the recommended reforms by the Energy Security Board (ESB) to the national electricity market (NEM). We provide a summary of what the ESB recommended. Plus insights on implications for owners and operators of electricity assets and investors.

• Investor confidence soars in Australia's renewable energy
  

  Despite local challenges, market sentiment for the Australian renewables sector is returning to positive.

• Powering the energy transition: A renewable energy update
  

  The Commonwealth Government has announced a major expansion to the Capacity Investment Scheme, which follows a year of significant changes in renewable energy policy across Australia.

• Carbon Markets: The international and domestic state of play
  

  Recent developments are creating new opportunities for carbon markets to provide a supporting role in achieving emission reduction targets.

• Risk management: Corporate PPAs – A Continuing Trend
  

  Corporate PPAs are an increasingly important part of a corporate’s risk management strategy and there are various structural and resourcing issues that corporates need to consider.

• Reform of the AER civil penalty regime
  

  How will the proposed reforms in the Statutes Amendment (National Energy Laws) (Penalties and Enforcement) Bill 2020 impact the energy sector in South Australia? As the bill awaits its passage through the South Australian Parliament, we analyse its implications.

• Australian Gas Market Reform: 2023 in review
  

  We recap the significant reforms and developments in the National Gas Market for 2023, and look ahead to 2024.

• Renewable Energy 2022: Australian laws and regulations
  

  Expert analysis of the Australian renewable energy sector as featured in ICLG - Renewable Energy 2022. The chapter covers the common issues in renewable energy laws and regulations, and commentary on industry dynamics from government support, regulatory reform, to foreign investment requirements.

• Electricity Market Design Options Paper: At a glance
  

  The National Electricity Market (NEM) is undergoing rapid and significant changes. The Energy Security Board (ESB) was tasked to advise on reform options to address the implications of the changes for the NEM. This article outlines the proposed reform pathways by the ESB.

• AEMO NEM interventions: a holistic strategy for determination of disputed compensation
  

  Following unprecedented interventions by the Australian Energy Market Operator in the National Electricity Market in June 2022, generators should consider a holistic strategy to approach disputed compensation.

• Consumer Data Right: opportunities and challenges for the energy sector
  

  The government has released its final version of the Consumer Data Right (Energy Sector) Designation 2020, and our Energy Law and Technology Solutions experts discuss the opportunities and challenges for the sector.

• Update on Safeguard Mechanism reforms
  

  In this update, we take you through the recent round of reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism and what they mean for regulated facilities.

   

• Renewable energy: will the election impact the reform agenda?
  

  The party that forms government following the federal election is expected to have a marked impact on the regulatory framework for the renewable energy sector in the short to medium term.