Leading international law firm, Clifford Chance has provided counsel to the Elanora Offshore consortium on all corporate and joint venture aspects of the Gippsland 5GW offshore wind project.
The Elanora Offshore consortium comprises KIMAenergy, EnergyAustralia, Boskalis, Respect Energy and Polpo Investments and brings together experts in offshore wind to help deliver and finance offshore wind and energy infrastructure in Europe, Asia and Australia.
The Clifford Chance team was led by Sydney partner, Reuben van Werkum and provided comprehensive advice to the Elanora Offshore consortium including on all corporate and joint venture aspects of the project to date, and included the following core team members:
- Corporate: Partner Reuben van Werkum and associates Anna Wroe and Joshua Yan
- Finance: Partner Chad Bochan and counsel Sunny Jong
- Antitrust: Partner Elizabeth Richmond and counsel Mark Grime
Subject to receiving feasibility licences, the first phase of the Elanora project is anticipated to be operational by 2032, with the second phase completing by the end 2034.
Once fully operational, the project is expected to generate more than 20TWh of clean energy to Victoria annually, which is 40 per cent of the state’s current energy needs.
Clifford Chance Sydney partner, Reuben van Werkum said the company is proud to be involved in the Gippsland 5GW offshore wind project which has involved multiple stakeholders.
“The offshore wind industry in Australia has a huge amount of potential for growth and a strong backing of government support.
“We believe that Elanora Offshore is well-placed to be leaders of this industry and we are hopeful that our assistance on this project will pave the way for similar undertakings in the future which contribute to Australia’s renewable energy ambitions, ” Mr van Werkum said.
“Our team’s unrivalled expertise in advising on complex infrastructure projects in Asia Pacific and globally in the offshore wind sector place us in a critical position to help clients like Elanora Offshore achieve their objectives in offshore wind.”
