Energy and renewables

Uniquely in the New Zealand market, our specialist energy partners have extensive domestic and international experience in the sector. Our multidisciplinary team acts for major industry participants on renewable energy developments, conventional developments, construction of large-scale energy projects, joint ventures and major M&A transactions across the sector.

The team also includes experts who assist with environmental consenting and strategic environmental policy, tax structures, project finance, commercial contracts, including power purchase agreements, offtake agreements and gas sale agreements, and advice for partnerships with iwi / hapū.

The strategic advice we have provided has helped enable solar, battery, wind, hydro, geothermal and oil and gas projects and investments and we have assisted clients successfully complete the full range of M&A transactions across the sector. As a firm, we recognise the importance of the energy sector to the economy, and the speed and scale at which complex projects, developments and transactions must now take place.

^{Chambers Global 2025 Energy and natural resources, 'Band 1'.}

^{Chambers Asia Pacific 2025 Energy and natural resources, 'Band 1'.}

^{The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025 Projects and resources management (including environment), 'Tier 1'.}

^{Practice leader David Coull is also ranked in Band 1 for Energy and natural resources by Chambers Global and Chambers Asia Pacific, and has received global accolades for his work in the energy sector from Who's Who Legal.}

Contact Energy

Advised on its partnership with Lightsource bp to develop grid scale solar solutions in New Zealand, and on its subsequent development of a 100 MW grid scale battery energy storage project at Glenbrook.

Vector's metering business

Advising a bidder on the sale by Vector of its Bluecurrent metering business – which sold for in excess of NZ$2bn.

Clarus

Development and investment in a waste to bio-energy project being undertaken in the North Island – the first of its kind in New Zealand.

First Renewables

Advised on the investment in and development of the Tauhei Solar Farm, New Zealand's largest solar project with an installed capacity of 200 MW, including on construction and power purchase arrangements.

New Zealand government

MBIE's multi-year decommissioning project and operations for the Tui oil and gas field – the first offshore decommissioning project undertaken in New Zealand.

Igneo Infrastructure Partners

Advised Igneo on its NZ energy and infrastructure transactions and investments, including the acquisition of the Vector and Maui gas transmission assets, the Ultra-Fast Fibre business, Waste Management and Eastland's electricity network.

Ahuroa gas storage development and sale

Advised on Contact Energy's development of the Ahuroa underground gas storage facility and its subsequent sale for NZ$200m.

Transpower

Advised on a number of strategic projects, planning and policy matters relating to the National Grid throughout New Zealand, including a range of Proposed Regional Policy Statements and District Plans, and national policy instruments.