OnPath Energy has appointed Goldbeck Solar to lead the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of the Barnsdale Solar Energy Park, a 50-hectare site located between Kippax and Allerton Bywater near Leeds, the company said on Tuesday.
The solar farm is expected to generate enough electricity to meet the average annual consumption of approximately 13,000 homes. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, with grid connection planned for spring 2026 via the Ledston Primary substation.
Goldbeck Solar will oversee the project’s design, construction, commissioning, and will operate and maintain the facility for the first two years after completion.
OnPath Energy highlighted the project’s environmental commitments, noting that Barnsdale will deliver the largest biodiversity net gain of any renewable energy project in Leeds to date, with a 106% increase achieved through the creation of wildflower meadows, wetlands, and extensive tree and hedgerow planting.
The company also plans to allocate over £800,000 from project revenues to a community fund aimed at supporting local groups, voluntary organisations, and environmental initiatives.
“The Barnsdale Solar Energy Park is OnPath’s first solar project and represents a real milestone towards achieving the company’s ambition of becoming the UK’s leading land-based renewable energy developer,” said Martin Kellerman, construction director at OnPath Energy.
He added, “Goldbeck Solar has extensive experience of working on solar energy generation projects, both within the UK and overseas, and we’re very pleased to have them as part of an excellent team of contractors.”
Goldbeck Solar, founded in 2001, has constructed 3.5 gigawatts of solar power plants across 20 countries. Colin Deans, UK country manager at Goldbeck Solar, commented, “Barnsdale adds to our ever-growing construction pipeline and we look forward to working with OnPath on delivering a high-performing project.”
“This site has some unique challenges and we believe it highlights our expertise in designing projects like Barnsdale,” Deans added.
OnPath Energy currently owns and operates four onshore wind farms in Yorkshire and is developing the Common Farm Solar Energy Park near Dinnington in South Yorkshire.
