Energy and natural resources | Buddle Findlay

Overview

We have a deep understanding of strategic drivers and the legal and regulatory framework of this industry.

This means we are well placed to give advice on all aspects of the energy and renewables sector.

We understand that responding to climate change is challenging. We know there’s a critical need to deliver a significant increase in renewable electricity generation, to enable New Zealand to decarbonise and meet its emissions reduction targets.

We work collaboratively to successfully deliver on aspects of the energy sector

Our ability to work collaboratively with clients as well as across our internal teams, coupled with our Te Tiriti expertise, sets us apart.

We have a compelling reputation for successfully delivering at all stages and in all aspects of energy sector businesses.

We advise:

Generators
Retailers
Network operators
Transpower (grid operator) and sponsors
Developers
Financiers of new generation developments.

We have been directly involved in the development of rules and policy

We have advised the Electricity Authority - the principal electricity industry regulator – on significant matters. We drafted and amended the Electricity Industry Participation Code - the rules that govern the electricity market in New Zealand.

We are experts on renewable energy projects

Our environment, resource management and Māori law teams are key advisers in the development of new renewable energy projects, including:

Advising and guiding development
Planning and environmental approvals for significant energy projects including wind, geothermal, hydro, and solar.

Our corporate, construction and property teams have given advice to several significant industry participants in New Zealand. We support clients with various aspects of their energy businesses including:

Development and acquisition of new assets
Securing property rights
Financing
Procurement and supply chain contracts
Construction
Corporate transactions
Emissions trading
Hedging
Regulatory issues
Customer arrangements
General corporate, commercial and regulatory advice
Property portfolios, including sale and purchase of land, leasing, easements, and encumbrances.

We have hands-on experience in the oil and gas industry

We advise clients on:

Exploration initiatives, Crown Minerals Act matters and Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act matters
Reticulation issues, including open access
Acquisitions of gas wholesale and retail businesses,
Acquisitions of gas reticulation businesses and major new gas supply contracts, both in New Zealand and overseas.

We can support you with litigation and dispute resolution

We advise on litigation and other dispute resolution procedures relating to the gas sector and Commerce Act issues impacting on various levels in the market.

We can give advice on fuels in the aviation industry

We are fuels experts in the aviation industry. We give advice on downstream fuel joint venture agreements, use of systems agreements, and fuel pipeline joint ventures (both operation and development).

Market recognition

"The overriding strength is client care. The firm responds quickly and efficiently to the needs of clients. The partners are national experts in their fields and the company is able to assist on a wide number of legal matters." - Chambers Asia-Pacific

"They are consistently excellent in terms of timing, ease of use and personal interactions." - Chambers Asia-Pacific

"[Buddle Findlay's] willingness to be innovative and the high-quality output, done in a manner where they are very client-friendly and committed to delivery outcomes." - Chambers Asia-Pacific

Experience

Sector/Expertise

Work highlights

Energy retailer

We advised an energy retailer on a critical contract with a metering equipment provider for the provision of equipment and services (including data feeds and insights)

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) - LNG facility

In 2024 we advised the energy and resources team at MBIE on the legislative framework for the establishment of a LNG facility, possible constraints and possible options to make the framework more enabling of this activity. This included consideration of the Resource Management Act, EEZ Act, Conservation Act, Reserves Act and Treaty settlement implications. It also included electricity regulatory aspects, as well as Commerce Act and Overseas Investment Act matters.

Genesis Energy reconsenting for Tekapo Power Scheme

We advise Genesis Energy on the reconsenting of its existing Tekapo A and B hydro-electric power stations which provide 190MW of renewable energy and form part of the New Zealand's largest hydro-electric generation involving seven power stations within the Waitaki Catchment.

GeoFuture Geothermal Power Development

We advised Contact Energy's internal and expert advisory team on the successful consenting of the NZ$750m GeoFuture Geothermal Power Development which will deliver electricity for over 70,000 additional homes. Read more here

Kapuni Green Hydrogen Project

We advised Westpac New Zealand and Commonwealth Bank of Australia on the proposed funding (debt) of the Kapuni Green Hydrogen Project which, has the ability to provide renewable electricity to up to 24,000 homes.

Lightsourcebp

We advised Lightsourcebp on the planning, environmental and regulatory approvals required for a proposed solar project which is expected to supply enough electricity for 33,000 homes.

Electricity Authority

We advised the Electricity Authority on its review of Transpower New Zealand's proposal to vary the transmission pricing methodology (the method by which transmission charges are allocated to participants in the electricity industry) and on significant amendments to the Electricity Industry Participation Code including the introduction of default distributor agreements.

Consenting for Contact Energy projects

We are presently advising Contact Energy on its new wind farm projects. We have advised Contact Energy on the consenting of its hydro, geothermal, thermal and wind projects including the Waitahora and Hauāuru mā raki wind farms, the Tauhara 2 and Te Mihi geothermal power stations, the Stratford thermal peaker stations, the reconsenting of Poihipi and Ohaaki geothermal power stations, and changes to consent conditions and lapse periods for the Otahuhu Thermal power stations.

Contact Energy business advice

We advised Contact Energy on issues arising in its generation, retail, and gas businesses including, the acquisition and disposal of land, contractual issues, Commerce Act issues, corporate governance, finance, property, Public Works Act, Electricity Act, green bonds and other issues.

Ormat Technologies business advice

We advised Ormat Technologies an international geothermal generation developer and manufacturer on its supply of equipment to and investment in geothermal electricity generation projects in New Zealand and overseas.

Transpower New Zealand environmental and planning matters

We advised Transpower New Zealand on environmental and planning matters for a range of different projects relating to separate parts of the National Grid.

Landowners

We advised landowners on the negotiation of option agreements and long term leases for various solar farms across New Zealand.

Investec Bank (Australia) and Taylor Woodings (as receivers)

We advised Investec Bank (Australia) and Taylor Woodings (as receivers) on the receivership of Austral Pacific Energy (NZ) and subsequent sale of assets.

Transpower New Zealand Bombay Interconnecting Transformer Project

We advised Transpower New Zealand on environment and planning permissions to enable the Bombay Interconnecting Transformer Project, currently in its early stages.

Westpower contractual issues

We advised Westpower on contractual issues (including commercial and construction contracts) on connection agreements, transmission asset acquisition and disposals, resource management issues, Public Works Act, and Electricity Industry Act and Code issues.

Westpower development projects

We advise Westpower on various development projects including the resource consents and concessions required for the proposed Waitaha River hydro-generation project as well as planning matters (the proposed West Coast Regional Policy Statement) and the proposed re-classification of stewardship land.

Energy Resources Aotearoa plan making litigation

We advised Energy Resources Aotearoa (previously the Petroleum Production and Exploration Association of New Zealand) on the planning and environmental framework for South Taranaki including representing this client in the Environment Court.

Contact Energy competition advice

We advised Contact Energy on the competition implications of the sale of its gas metering business to Vector, and Vector's application for clearance for the acquisition as well as Contact Energy's purchase of Enerco gas retail and Orion gas wholesale businesses (both of which included acquisition of gas arrangements).

Genesis Energy gas-related issues

We advised Genesis Energy on proposals for regulations covering gas transmission and related issues.

Auditors

We have advised auditors reporting to the Gas Industry Company regarding event audits and the Gas (Downstream Reconciliation) Rules 2008.

Methanex Maui gas-related issues

We advised Methanex on all Maui gas-related issues, including redetermination of reserves, restructuring of Maui gas supply arrangements post-redetermination and drafting and negotiating Methanex’s 40PJ gas supply arrangement with the Maui joint venture.

Methanex gas-related transactions

We assisted Methanex on various gas-related transactions, including gas sale and purchase agreements, swaps, tender bids, reconciliation and allocation arrangements, pipeline access arrangements, farm-ins on various petroleum exploration and development opportunities, and sole risk arrangements.

Project finance for development projects

We have acted for lenders providing project finance to various electricity generation development projects and oil and gas development projects.

Construction contracting for geothermal generation plants

We acted for the developers and contractors on the construction contracting for various geothermal generation plants including Ngawha, Rotokawa, Mokai, Te Huka, TOPP1, Ngatamariki, Wairakei, Te Mihi and others.

Contact Energy contract negotiations

We acted for Contact Energy in negotiating contracts with the New Zealand Treasury, Land Information New Zealand, Crown Law and Department of Conservation officials, for a suite of often complex rights to enable the operation and development of approximately NZ$3b New Zealand wide generation assets.

Our team

Energy and renewables