Gerald Arends

Experience

Gerald Arends is a director and partner at Pegasus Legal, a boutique law firm serving investors and contractors in the renewable energy sector on projects across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region based on Australian and English law.  

Gerald has worked in the renewable energy industry and as a legal advisor to the industry for over 18 years.  Clients seek his legal advice that is always informed by his deep understanding of technical and commercial issues as they affect project development, project delivery and investment decisions. 

He has advised on projects in more than 30 countries, with a recent focus on Australia, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.  Gerald’s international perspective and practical approach make him a trusted advisor for clients navigating complex energy markets and cross-border transactions.

Notable Australian clients and projects include: 

·       Australian Renewable Energy Services (ARES) on the development and delivery of a portfolio of 5 large-scale battery and solar/battery projects in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.

·       SMA Altenso on the delivery of a portfolio of large-scale battery and solar/battery projects in Australia.

·       Enechange on delivery contracts for a portfolio of 5 MW solar farms. 

·       PWR Hybrid on the delivery of a off-grid hybrid power project at a Western Australian mine site. 

·       Komo Energy and its related entities on EPC and O&M services, supply agreements and PPAs for several community-scale/small utility-scale projects.

·       Obton on the supply agreements for a portfolio of 5 MW solar farms. 

·       ENcome Energy Performance Australia on the provision of engineering services and O&M service across a diverse portfolio of large-scale solar projects. 

·       BayWa r.e. on the EPC and O&M contracting for their Australian solar project

pipeline including 20 MW at Hughenden, Queensland, and 112 MW at Karadoc,

Victoria and 106 MW at Yatpool, Victoria.

·       juwi Renewable Energy on the development of industry-leading off-grid hybrid

power projects, including the DeGrussa solar/battery project, a high penetration

diesel displacement project delivered under a PPA structure at the Sandfire’s

DeGrussa mine in Western Australia.

In giving legal advice, Gerald also draws on his experience in project development and delivery ranging from community-scale solar and battery projects to complex precinct project and multi-technology pumped hydro projects. 

Gerald is a conference speaker, panellist and postgraduate educator, sharing his insights on renewable energy law and market development with industry peers and emerging professionals.

Specialty

With 25 years of professional legal experience, Gerald is a recognised specialist in renewable energy law, with deep expertise in solar and battery projects. His work focuses on:

• Construction (EPC) contracts
• Operation and maintenance (O&M) contracts
• Supply chain contracts
• Power purchase agreements (PPAs)
• Legal opinions in support of project finance
• Clean energy project development
• Regulatory compliance
• Community ownership models in renewable energy

Whether advising on large-scale infrastructure or localised community energy initiatives, Gerald is committed to supporting sustainable, impactful energy solutions across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Education

• Qualifications: LLM in International Economic Law (Warwick), Dipl.-Jur. (Bayreuth), PgDL (BBP Law School), PgLP (Oxford Institute of Legal Practice).
• Leadership Roles: Gerald Arends is a director of Pegasus Legal, where he provides specialist legal advice on renewable energy projects. He also serves as a director of Komo Energy, an organisation that partners with communities and businesses to invest in and develop clean energy projects across Australia and a director of multiple community energy projects.
• Major case successes and project advisory: Gerald has advised on significant renewable energy projects, including the 550 MW Bugallon Solar Project in the Philippine, the 162 MW Amateras Solar Project in Japan, a pipeline of 86 MW solar projects in Thailand, the 20 MW Hughenden project in Queensland, the 112 MW Karadoc and 106 MW Yatpool projects in Victoria, as well as the world-leading Degrussa solar/battery integration project in Western Australia.
• Contributions to Award-Winning Projects: Gerald has been instrumental in the success of pioneering renewable energy initiatives across various countries and sectors. His work spans emerging markets work (both domestically in Australia and internationally), award-winning community-scale developments, innovative hybrid solar and battery projects.
• Industry Recognition and Public Engagement: A respected voice in the renewable energy sector, Gerald is a conference speaker, industry panellist, and postgraduate educator. His commitment to knowledge sharing and sector leadership supports the growth and evolution of clean energy both in Australia and internationally.