DLA Piper has advised the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) on the 110 MW (AC) Darling Downs Solar Farm in Dalby, Queensland – the latest in the large-scale solar competitive round to reach Project Financial Close.

The Darling Downs Solar Farm was originally proposed by Origin Energy Limited, who have since sold the project, with a 13 year offtake, to APA Power Holdings.

DLA Piper advised ARENA throughout the sale process, including evaluating each bidder's response to the ARENA Funding Agreement, as well as negotiating and finalising the arrangements with APA for the AU$20 million in grant funding to the project.

The DLA Piper team was led by Finance and Projects partner Kate Papailiou, with senior associates Marnie Carroll and Bing Wang.

Kate Papailiou said: "It's fantastic to see the largest of the ARENA large-scale solar projects now closed. In DLA Piper's role of portfolio counsel, we've been privileged to see a variety of project structures, and have been pleased to assist ARENA navigate the various legal and risk aspects.

"Utility-scale Solar PV has certainly 'come of age' in Australia over the past six months, and we're excited to see a healthy pipeline of large-scale projects building beyond the completion of the funding round."

This is the fifth of the large scale solar Projects DLA Piper has assisted ARENA in bringing to financial close – following Neoen's Parkes, Griffith and Dubbo solar farm projects in late 2016 and Edify Energy and Wirsol's Whitsunday Solar Farm earlier this year.

DLA Piper has also provided a portfolio overview and advisory role to ARENA across all 12 projects in the competitive round.