K&L Gates Advises on AUD511m Waste-to-Energy Project in Western Australia

Perth – Global law firm K&L Gates has advised Acciona, a global leader in sustainable solutions for infrastructure and renewable energy projects, on the development of the AUD511 million East Rockingham Resource Recovery Facility.

Acciona is the lead contractor for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) project, together with Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI). Acciona also holds an equity stake in the project alongside HZI and John Laing.

The East Rockingham facility, to be located south of Perth in Western Australia, is only the second grid scale waste-to-energy project of its kind to reach financial close in Australia. It is expected to be operational by the end of 2022 and, once completed, will process around 300,000 tonnes of waste per year. Treating waste from municipal, commercial and industrial sources, the facility will have the capacity to generate approximately 29MW of renewable energy, enough to power more than 36,000 homes.

K&L Gates advised Acciona on all aspects of its participation in the project, including the construction contract and other project documents such as those relating to electricity interconnection and waste supply, as well as all other matters required to reach financial close. K&L Gates' team was led by infrastructure partner Zac Kerr, who was supported by senior associates Jordan Lyon and Tahnee Upton, and lawyer Lauren Wrafter.

"We are pleased to support Acciona on its involvement in the East Rockingham project, which is a core part of our client's long-term commitment to projects based on cutting-edge technologies that contribute to sustainability and protecting the environment," said Kerr. "The construction of this facility also marks an important milestone in the development of Australia's waste-to-energy sector, in which we are seeing increased interest and activity."

K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents. The firm represents leading multinational corporations, growth and middle-market companies, capital markets participants and entrepreneurs in every major industry group as well as public sector entities, educational institutions, philanthropic organisations and individuals. For more information about K&L Gates or its locations, practices and registrations, visit klgates.com.