Ashurst has advised government-owned electricity generator CS Energy on a new joint venture with Western Australia-based electricity retailer Alinta Energy (Atlinta), which aims to reduce electricity prices for small businesses and households in south-east Queensland.

The joint venture aims to grow to 250,000 customers over the next few years and will deliver a two year discount of 25% to electricity consumers in Queensland's south-east. Under the agreement, CS Energy will provide wholesale electricity and Atlinta will manage the sale of electricity to consumers. The joint venture, which is established on the basis of equal risk and reward, was announced on Sunday 13 August 2017.
 
Premier of Queensland, Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that she hopes the discounts provided by the joint venture will create competition in the retail market, resulting in downward pressure on electricity prices.
 
Lead partner on the deal, Tanya Denning (Utilities) said "This joint venture is a game-changer for the Queensland electricity market. It was a pleasure to work with CS Energy on the conclusion of the agreement, which represents months of dedicated work by each of the CS Energy and Ashurst teams."
 
Tanya was assisted by senior associate Jo Slater and lawyer Tim Rankin (Utilities); partner Graeme Tucker and lawyer Robert Lau (Finance); partner Geoffrey Mann and lawyer Kristina Popova (Tax); with counsel Justin Jones (Competition).