Simon Batten
Special Counsel , Brisbane
I am a specialist advisor to clients in the electricity and renewables industries. I advise on regulatory and commercial issues, including electricity connection agreements, power purchase agreements, retail agreements, derivative transactions, and regulatory compliance programs for generation, network and retail businesses.

Prior to joining MinterEllison I worked for over nine years in-house as a Senior Legal Counsel, and Acting General Counsel, of one of Australia's largest energy companies, Energy Queensland. This in-depth in-house experience allows me to provide well-rounded perspective and understanding of challenges and drivers of inhouse legal procurement and project delivery.

Career highlights

  • Major network projects: Advised on all aspects of major sub-transmission projects in South-East Queensland, including all land acquisition matters, regulatory test compliance, community consultation, and planning and environmental approvals under State and Federal legislation.
  • Distribution Connection contracts: Advised on drafting a contractual suite for electricity network connection projects, including retail customer connections and renewable generation connections.
  • Renewable energy procurement: Advised major customers and market participants on renewable energy procurement, including wholesale PPAs, retail PPAs and retail sleeved PPAs.
  • Energy retailers: Advised on retail contracts for residential, commercial and industrial electricity customers including renewable backed products that allow their customers to make credible statements in relation to renewable electricity usage.
  • Battery Connection: Advised Queensland distribution entities on regulatory impacts of connection of utility scale battery energy storage systems.
  • Embedded networks: Advised in regulatory reviews of registration and authorisations in relation to private electricity networks.
  • ISDA Master Agreements: Advised major generators and retailers in respect of their derivative transactions for electricity and environmental products.
  • Regulatory Compliance Programs: Assisted major generators and retailers in step-change compliance programs to navigate the complex National rules frameworks.