OnPath Energy has finished construction of a new entrance at its Common Farm Solar Park in Dinnington, South Yorkshire, enabling the full build-out of the 49.9 megawatt (MW) solar facility, the company said on Monday.
The solar project will be co-located with a 50MW battery energy storage system connected to the Thurcroft substation approximately three kilometres north of the site. Once operational, the scheme is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to meet the annual needs of up to 18,800 homes.
Construction is scheduled to begin later this autumn and is anticipated to be completed by mid-2027. OnPath said regional subcontractors and suppliers will be engaged throughout the development.
The 116-hectare site incorporates an ecology and biodiversity plan, including the planting of species-rich grassland to establish a wildflower meadow. Additional landscaping efforts, such as hedgerow planting with oak trees and habitat creation for skylarks and lapwings, are also planned for post-construction phases.
OnPath is developing a community benefits package valued at approximately £50,000 annually, amounting to around £2 million over the project’s lifetime, in consultation with local residents.
“Completion of the site access is a key milestone,” said Martin Kellerman, OnPath’s construction director. “This project will bring a wide range of direct environmental, energy security, economic and community benefits to the local area.”
Common Farm is one of two solar projects OnPath is advancing in Yorkshire, alongside the Barnsdale solar development near Leeds. The developer also owns and operates four onshore wind farms in the county.
