I act for both government and the private sector on major energy projects that have a significant regulatory overlay. My practice includes advising on strategic policy implementation, drafting and negotiating large offtake agreements, connection and use of system agreements, gas transportation and storage agreements, energy retail contracting, and green scheme (including carbon offset) compliance and contracting.
Career highlights
- Lead adviser to the Victorian Government on the project design and implementation of the State's second successful renewable energy reverse auction (VRET 2), where the State contracted for 623MW of new renewable generation and up to 365MW and 600 MWh of battery storage.
- Lead adviser to the Victorian Government on the implementation of all of Victoria's renewable energy zones, involving a $540 million fund to assist in strengthening and expanding Victoria electricity transmission network in order to help support up to 3,000MW of new generation and enable an orderly and coordinated transition to renewable energy.
- Lead adviser to the Victorian Government on the first of its kind Victorian Big Battery Project, involving the State's procurement of a system integrity projection scheme (SIPS) thermal service from one of the world's largest lithium ion batteries, to increase the import capacity of the Victoria-New South Wales electricity interconnector.
- Lead adviser to Aurora Energy on multiple offtake and retail agreements, including the long term offtake agreement for the Cattle Hill Wind Farm.
- Adviser to the Victorian Government on the successful implementation of VRET1.
- Adviser to the Victorian Government on its energy storage initiative project, involving the funding of two large-scale battery projects in Western Victoria.
Awards and recognition
- Best Lawyers in Australia
Rising Star 2020, 2021, 2022, Energy Transactions and Regulatory – The Legal 500 Asia Pacific. Clients said 'Fiona Lewis is a superstar. Great sector knowledge, and I feel confident when she talks about how our regulatory powers may work in practice' and that Fiona has 'very high interpersonal skills and strong legal and communication skills'.
