Energy
Powering Progress in a Rapidly Evolving Industry
Salerno Law’s dedicated team of energy and infrastructure lawyers advises across the full energy and natural resources landscape — including mining, oil and gas, renewables, and environmental law.
Our integrated approach ensures seamless legal support from project inception through to delivery.
We offer deep expertise in clean energy initiatives, procurement and project delivery, regulatory issues, planning and environmental compliance, commercial transactions, property acquisition, due diligence, and project financing.
Our team works with investors, miners, operators, contractors, developers, and financiers across the entire energy value chain — upstream and downstream — delivering commercially focused, innovative legal solutions to the sector’s most complex challenges.
How we can help
At Salerno Law, we deliver legal solutions that keep pace with a fast-changing world. Our experienced legal team combines deep expertise with a practical, client-first mindset to deliver timely, accurate, and commercially-focused outcomes. With a presence across Australia and internationally, we offer seamless support no matter where our clients operate. By leveraging modern technology and a commitment to clear communication, we provide efficient, cost-effective legal services that never compromise on quality or results.
Clean Energy & Renewables Law
Our lawyers working in clean energy and renewables provide legal guidance throughout the lifecycle of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind...
Regulatory & Compliance Law
Our experienced lawyers play a critical role in ensuring that projects comply with Australia’s complex regulatory landscape. Energy development...
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are essential contracts in the energy sector, providing the commercial foundation for energy generation projects...
Property & Land Access
Lawyers play a vital role in securing the land rights needed to develop and operate energy projects. These projects, whether solar farms, wind installations...
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Lawyers in the energy M&A space guide clients through complex transactions involving the acquisition, sale, or merging of energy assets and...
Project Finance & Investment
Lawyers play a key role in structuring and securing the finance needed to develop and operate energy projects. This includes advising on debt and equity...
Our Experience
- Acted in all aspects of development of over 60 mining projects around Australia and oversees including Sonoma Coal Project, Monto Minerals Ilmenite Project, Gladstone East End Gold Mine Expansion Project, Cape Alumina Project, Bowen River Coal Project , Byerwen Coal Project, Drake Coal Project, Minerva Coal Project (New Hope), Kestrel (formerly Gordonstone) Coal Project, Cameby Downs Project, Cook Coal Mine, and Ebenezer Coal Mine Extension (Idemitsu).
- Acted in relation to numerous commodity sales arrangements both in and outside of Australia, such as the long term gas purchase arrangements for the Gove Alumina operations, Bauxite and Alumina sales arrangements for Alcan, various mineral sales arrangements for Monto Minerals Ltd, gold and base metals arrangements in Australia and PNG.
- Development of the Cubico owned 500MW Wambo Wind Farm Project (Queensland).
- Solar Farm Development: Advising ACG in relation to development or a number of Australian Solar Farm developments.
- New England and Ashford dual Solar Farms and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS): Acted in all aspects for development of two associated solar and BESS projects in the Regional Grid with Essential Energy.
- Acted in the purchase of Callide Coal Mine
Energy FAQs
Projects typically require environmental approvals, planning permits, and grid-connection approvals. This includes compliance with federal and state environmental laws, local planning schemes, and any industry-specific rules for wind, solar, hydrogen, or storage projects. Because these projects have long lead times, identifying and securing all necessary approvals early is critical.
Lawyers provide strategic advice on emerging regulations, emissions targets, and compliance with renewable-energy schemes. They monitor legal changes and recommend modifications needed for ongoing compliance.
The main regulators include the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the Clean Energy Regulator, and various state-level planning and environmental agencies.
Legal teams help interpret and implement the technical and operational standards set out in the rules, advise on grid-access and performance obligations, and manage compliance reporting and audits.
Key clauses include pricing mechanisms, energy-delivery obligations, credit support, curtailment rights, termination triggers, and renewable-certificate allocation. These terms affect project bankability and risk allocation.
Corporate PPAs are signed directly with end users—usually businesses—often to meet ESG or net-zero goals, whereas utility PPAs involve sales to a licensed energy retailer or government body.
Developers may need freehold ownership, lease agreements, easements, or licences, depending on the project. These rights must be negotiated with landowners, Indigenous groups, and sometimes state or federal governments.
Projects on land subject to native title may require Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs). Legal teams ensure compliance with the Native Title Act and any relevant cultural-heritage protections.
Risks include non-compliance with environmental laws, unstable land tenure, poorly drafted PPAs, grid-connection issues, and unresolved planning approvals. Thorough legal due diligence is essential before finalising any transaction.
Common structures include project-finance models, joint ventures, and public–private partnerships. Legal teams draft loan documents, manage investor agreements, and facilitate access to green-finance tools such as sustainability-linked loans and grants.