Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has advised the lender group, consisting of Westpac Banking Corporation and National Australia Bank Limited, on the refinancing of Lighthouse Infrastructure's Emerald Solar Farm, located in Central Queensland.
The solar farm comprises approximately 250,000 solar panels and has a total installed solar capacity of 72MW(AC). Financing for the solar farm was originally obtained in 2017. Emerald solar farm has been operational since 2019 and generates enough electricity to power approximately 35,000 Queensland homes.
The Herbert Smith Freehills team was led by partners Elizabeth Charlesworth and supported by senior associate Lisa Hamilton and solicitor Stephanie Simm.
Elizabeth Charlesworth commented, "We are pleased to have advised the lenders on the refinancing of Lighthouse Infrastructure's Emerald Solar Farm, ultimately helping to drive Australia's transition to clean energy."
KWM was the legal adviser to the borrower and ICA was its financial adviser.
With this deal, Herbert Smith Freehills continues to demonstrate its leadership in Australia's clean energy sector, having recently advised:
- Lenders on the refinancing of the 333MWdc/275MWac Darlington Point Solar Farm, one of Australia's largest operating solar farms;
- Tilt Renewables on the refinancing of its renewable portfolio, including in relation to the 102MW Nyngan and 53MW Broken Hill Solar Farms and the 199MW Silverton Wind Farm;
- Genex Power on the development, offtake and project financing of the 50MW/100MWh Bouldercombe Battery Energy Storage System in Queensland;
- RES Australia on the development, offtake, project financing and sale of the 180MW Dulacca Wind Farm in Queensland; and
- Pacific Partnerships on its acquisition of the 125MW Glenrowan Solar Farm from Esco Pacific.
