Global law firm Ashurst has advised Sojitz Corporation (Sojitz) on its investment in Next Green Group Pty Ltd (NGG). With this investment, Sojitz intends to build an integrated energy solutions business.
Australia has the highest per capita energy consumption in the Asia-Pacific region and electricity prices are elevated by grid charges. This drives demand for energy saving services such as behind the meter (BTM) systems (which include integrated rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems) to reduce energy spend.
NGG is well-positioned to meet this demand. It is an energy retail business that provides retail electricity services to small and medium sized businesses, including the installation of solar power systems and storage batteries at commercial and industrial sites. Sojitz intends to work together with NGG to accelerate the expansion of BTM services.
The Ashurst team was led by partners Jo En Low, Natsuko Ogawa, and Alexander Dmitrenko, who were assisted by: senior associates Alex McLeish and Rachel Werner and associates Janet Chhean and Shenaye Ralphs (Corporate Transactions); partner James Clarke, senior associate Dario Aloe, and associate Caitlin Terrey (Dispute resolution); partners Mike Webb and Kate Phillips, senior associates Robert Gough and Stephen Blair, and associates Jayfer Joy and Irene Ma (Projects & Energy Transition); partner Angie Ng and associate Danny Xie (Competition); partner Jenine Mansfield, senior associate Mohamad Ardati, and associate Erina Higgins (Employment); partner Nina Fitzgerald and associate Rebel O'Connor (IP); partner Geoff McGrath and associate Eshaan Kapur (Digital economy transactions); partner Kitty Vo and senior associate Matthew Loader (Real Estate); and partner Scott Charaneka and associate Vien Siu (Finance, Funds & Restructuring).
