Hamilton Mott is proud to support our client Enerven in delivering two of Australia’s most significant renewable energy initiatives—the Eraring Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on the NSW Central Coast and the Liddell BESS in the NSW Hunter region.

Enerven specialises in designing, constructing, and maintaining electrical, renewable, and telecommunications infrastructure. They provide energy solutions to all market sectors and deliver significant electrical infrastructure capital works programs of every scale and complexity to the highest standards.

BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) is a type of energy storage technology that employs a group of batteries in the grid to store energy within electrical systems. Battery storage is the fastest responding dispatchable power source on electrical grids, and it is used to stabilise those grids, as battery storage can transition from standby to full power in under a second to address grid contingencies.

Origin Energy appointed Enerven to design and construct this iconic project adjacent to the still-operating Eraring coal-fired power station. The Eraring BESS will be a 700MW/2,800MWh grid-connected battery system designed to enhance Australia’s energy resilience. When completed, it will be one of the most significant BESS projects in Australia.

The Liddell BESS is expected to be a 500MW / 1000MWh battery and is poised to become one of the most significant BESS projects in the country. It is situated at AGL’s decommissioned Liddell Power Station, which is part of the Liddell/Bayswater power precinct.

Renewable infrastructure projects like the Eraring and Liddell BESS present unique challenges during delivery. Design needs to be coordinated with battery suppliers (original engineering manufacturers) and the contractor needs to manage the installation and connection of a huge number of free-issued materials in batteries, inverters etc.

Hamilton Mott’s position within Enerven’s commercial support team is to ensure that contracts are properly administered and that risks are managed proactively.

Jock Hamilton, Principal of Hamilton Mott, expressed his enthusiasm for the firm’s involvement in the project:

“We’re proud to be working alongside Enerven on projects of such national significance. Battery energy storage is a critical piece of Australia’s energy transition, and our role is to support the commercial function so that Enerven can focus on delivering this essential infrastructure in a timely manner.”

Legal and commercial advisory support is essential as BESS facilities become part of the energy mix. Hamilton Mott is ready to assist in navigating the complexities of BESS projects, from front-end contract negotiation to delivery support, risk mitigation, and dispute resolution.

Hamilton Mott offers various legal services to Australia’s construction and building industry – from commercial contracting to dispute resolution and advisory legal services.

We work with principals, consultants, developers, contractors and subcontractors on projects nationally to negotiate contracts, pursue and defend claims, settle disputes and navigate the regulatory environment.

Hamilton Mott principal Jock Hamilton is a construction lawyer with experience practising in firms in South Australia, New South Wales and England & Wales. He has worked at several of Australia’s largest law firms within their construction and insurance teams. Jock has partnered with project teams on residential projects, apartment towers and mixed-use commercial buildings as well as a many infrastructure projects in the road, rail and water industries.

The Hamilton Mott approach is straightforward: We apply the law while offering commercially sound advice. By prioritising our clients' commercial goals, we deliver legal solutions to achieve strategic outcomes. We encourage clients to think outside the box, and we do the same, using innovative tactics and strategic thinking to navigate the intricate legal landscape.

For support on your next commercial or construction project,

contact the Hamilton Mott team via our website or call 02 9159 9090.