Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) and Baker & McKenzie are among a number of firms to have advised on the acquisitions of two Australian wind farms by Southeast Asian energy giants.

The first deal saw Malakoff, Malaysia's largest power producer, take a 50% stake in the A$650m (£387m) Macarthur Wind Farm from New Zealand's Meridian Energy. 

The 450MW wind farm in Victoria is the largest in the southern hemisphere and is operated by Australian gas and electricity company AGL Energy, which owns the remaining share.

Bakers acted for Malakoff, fielding a team led by the firm's head of renewable energy Paul Curnow.

Allens acted for Meridian led by Melbourne energy and projects partner Anna Collyer.

In connection with the sale, Allens also acted for Macarthur on a A$528m (£314m) refinancing, with HSF advising the banks.

The second deal involved the A$350m (£208m) purchase of Boco Rock wind farm in New South Wales by Thailand's Electricity Generating Public Company (EGCO) from energy developer Continental Wind Partners (CWP).

Bakers led for EGCO with a team also headed by Curnow, while HSF represented CWP, with Melbourne power projects and infrastructure partners Gerard Pike and Brendan Quinn working alongside Australia projects head Andrew Clark.

HSF also advised GE Energy Financial Services on the development funding for the project, and Boco Rock wind farm itself in connection with A$265m (£158m) in debt finance, while King Wood & Mallesons acted for the banks.

Bakers' Curnow said the deals were a sign of increasing interest in the country's renewable energy market.

He said: "We have seen growing interest by foreign investors in this space, particularly from Asian investors, and given Australia's 20% target we expect to see a lot more in the coming years."