Gilbert + Tobin has advised the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), administered by Export Finance Australia (EFA), on the augmentation of the Palau Solar + BESS project, strengthening one of the Pacific’s most significant hybrid renewable energy facilities.
An additional 4.8MWac / 19.8MWh battery energy storage system will be added to the existing 15.28MWp solar and 10.2MWac / 12.9MWh battery energy storage system, with the support of funding from the AIFFP.
AIFFP is an Australian Government financing initiative that supports high-quality infrastructure across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. The augmentation will be developed and operated by project sponsor Solar Pacific Pristine Power Inc, a subsidiary of Philippine-based renewable energy company Alternergy.
The expanded battery energy storage system will support Palau Public Utilities Corporation’s electricity network, improve renewable energy integration and help reduce Palau’s reliance on imported diesel generation.
The G+T team was led by Energy, Resources and Infrastructure partner Jamie Guthrie, with support from lawyers Marshall Heller and Alex Bird.
Jamie Guthrie said:
We are proud to have supported AIFFP and EFA on this important augmentation, which will help strengthen Palau’s grid, support renewable energy integration and reduce diesel dependence. The project highlights the role of innovative infrastructure finance in delivering reliable, lower-emissions energy and sustainable development outcomes for Pacific communities.
