Happy Holidays

As is the case each December, the energy market is wildly rushing to finalise as many deals as possible before the Australian summer holiday commences.  In this frantic sprint it is easy to forget the strides made in the last year towards a green and sustainable energy market.  It is for this reason that we decided to reflect on the year that was and thank clients and partners for their enduring support.

What we are thankful for

In 2023 we advised 65 clients on 207 projects.  Some of the projects that stand out are:

  • advising on 3 projects forming part of the Victorian Renewable Energy Target auctions;
  • advising Birdwood Energy on AUD 2 Billion distributed Energy Partnership with Aware Super;
  • advising MA Growth Ventures, on its growth capital facility into Upstream Energy;
  • advising a utility developer on the sale of 3 development projects to global funds;
  • advising an energy retailer on a project to install solar/battery systems across 100 stores in Australia;
  • advising on and closing 168 renewable project land options; and
  • advising a national energy retailer on 51 projects ranging various technologies.

We had the opportunity to connect with our clients in various ways and attended and spoke at 12 conferences and universities.  We published 50 articles, 5 energy expert insights and 3 New Energy Quarterlies.  We include links to these below in case you want to catchup on your reading during the holiday.

Our wish list

On our wish list this year are more skilled contractors, policy certainty, supply chain capacity and increased global cooperation in the hydrogen market.  Also have a look at our 2023 predictions for the Australian energy market, and be on the lookout for our predictions for 2024, to be published early next year.

May your holiday lights be solar panelled, your aircons make use of demand side initiatives and 2024 be greener, more sustainable and filled with opportunities to transition the energy market into the future.

May you and your loved ones have a happy holiday season.

The Hamilton Locke New Energy Team

Clients

A special thank you to the following clients, it is a pleasure working with you:

Birdwood Energy Canadian Solar Enel Green Power EnergySea Energy Vault
Enervest European Energy Green Peak Energy GRS H2Q
H2X JUWI LaSalle LINE Hydrogen NovaSource
Octopus Investments Australia Origin Quintas South Energy Spark Renewables

 

New Energy Quarterlies

Hydrogen – No Longer a Pipe Dream Empowering Communities The Way of Water

 

Expert Insights

Siemens GRS E22 Enervest Energy Vault

 

Hamilton Locke

Hamilton Locke expands into New Zealand Hamilton Locke recognised in The Australian Financial Review (AFR) as Australia’s fastest growing law firm The Australian profiles Hamilton Locke as Australia’s fastest-growing and top 30 law firm
Hamilton Locke named Law Firm of the Year (101-500 Lawyers) in the 2023 Australasian Law Awards. Matt Baumgurtel ranked as “Highly Regarded” by the IFLR 1000.

 

Conferences and speaking engagements

Matt and Megan speaking at Impact LIVE’s Webinar as part of APAC Wind Energy Week 2023. Matt and Adriaan lecture at the Australian National University’s Climate Essentials for Farmers Course. Matt moderates Leader Associates IMPACT panel discussion on “How to Reinforce Australia’s Leading Role in the Global Hydrogen Economy.”
The Hamilton Locke New Energy team attend the Australian Clean Energy Summit 2023 and Energy Next 2023 conference. Matt featured as a panellist at the Solar Mega Projects in Australia: Build Solar Better forum. Matt, Adriaan and Ally lecture at the University of Sydney’s Global Energy and Resources course.
The Hamilton Locke New Energy team attend the Large Scale Solar Summit Adriaan chairs panel on ‘Reaching maturity in outcomes focused regulation” at the Australian Battery Recycling & Manufacturing Summit. The Hamilton Locke New Energy team attend the All Energy Australia conference.
Matt and David attend the Hydrogen Connect Summit. Matt and Adriaan present at the University of Sydney’s ‘Promise and reality of renewable energy law and policy symposium’ Hamilton Locke hosts the Australian Institute of Energy session on Energy Infrastructure Businesses in Australia’s Energy Transition.

 

New Energy Market

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has released its Hydrogen Guideline: A guide to the NSW planning system. As of 17 February 2023, responsible entities for critical infrastructure assets have a range of new compliance benchmarks under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (Cth). Victorian Government has issued the Offshore Wind Energy Implementation Statement 2.
CSIRO has issued the Renewable Energy Storage Roadmap. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water issued the State of Hydrogen 2022 report (released April 2023). International and Renewable Energy Agency has issued Creating a global hydrogen market: Certification to enable trade.
Australia and the United States signed the Australia – United States Climate, Critical Minerals and Clean Energy Transformation Compact. Consultation opened on the Hydrogen Headstart Program. The Clean Energy Council has released the Power Playbook – Accelerating Australia’s Clean Energy Transformation, a strategic package of 45 recommendations to assist Australia achieve its goal of 82% renewables by 2030.
The Australian Energy Regulator released the State of the Energy Market 2023 report. ARENA released its annual report 2022-23, indicating a record amount of funding since its inception in 2012 Public consultation opened for proposed offshore wind and other renewable projects in the Bass Strait until 31 January 2024.
Registrations are open for the South Australia and Victoria Capacity Investment Scheme tender for renewable energy generation and storage projects, closing in February 2024 CIS announcement: Federal Government announces expansion of Capacity Investment Scheme, aiming to secure 32 GW of renewable generation and storage by 2030 Offshore Wind Energy Implementation Statement 3 – Victoria

 

KEY CONTACTS

Partner, Head of Energy

Special Counsel