DLA Piper advises Grupo Cobra on the completion of Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone Transmission Network

DLA Piper has advised Spanish-based Grupo Cobra on the successful completion of the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Transmission Project in central New South Wales (NSW). 

This landmark project involves the design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of 330kV and 500kV clean energy transmission lines and associated system strength infrastructure. The project represents a concession period of 35 years, after which the asset will be handed back to EnergyCo.

Also, this project is the first of its kind in Australia for the delivery of major, regulated, renewable energy transmission infrastructure through a PPP structure. The new transmission infrastructure will enable generators, such as solar and wind, and energy storage providers to connect to the grid, enhancing the region’s renewable energy capabilities. 

Grupo Cobra, in partnership with ACCIONA and Endeavour Energy, was selected in December 2023 as the preferred network operator for this project by the NSW Government and was awarded the contract as network operator last week. Grupo Cobra is renowned for its expertise in water, gas, electricity, and communications distribution networks, and is a leader in renewable energies in Spain and Latin America.

Advisors

The DLA Piper team was led by José de Ponte (partner, Finance). Also, with the support in Australia from Chris Mitchell (partner, Corporate), Alex Regan (partner, Finance), Adam Smith (partner, Tax), Gerry Bean (senior consultant, Corporate), Caroline Rowe (special counsel, Finance), Victoria Brockhall (Senior associate, Finance), Tom Borland (solicitor, Corporate) and Sophia Davies (solicitor, Finance).

Internationally, the team was supported by Jesús Zapata (partner, Finance), Paula Gonzalez de Castejon (partner, IPT) and Alberto Rubio Medrano (senior associate, Finance) from the firm’s Madrid office. As well, Margarita Oliva (US-LatAm Practice Group Regional Co-Leader, Finance) from the firm’s New York office.