OnPath Energy has started construction on its Barnsdale Solar Energy Park, a 40MW solar project located between Kippax and Allerton Bywater, near Leeds, West Yorkshire. Approved in 2021, the project will cover approximately 50 hectares and connect to the Ledston Primary electricity substation, generating enough renewable electricity to power up to 13,000 homes annually.
Cheetham Hill Construction, under AECOM's supervision, is handling the initial work, including site access preparations for further development in the new year. The project incorporates a robust ecology and biodiversity plan, which will introduce wildflower meadows, wetland areas, and hedgerow planting, achieving a biodiversity net gain of 106%—a record for renewable energy initiatives in the Leeds area, according to OnPath.
Barnsdale will also establish a community fund, with over £800,000 in project revenue allocated to grants for local organizations throughout its operational life. This new solar park adds to OnPath's existing portfolio of onshore wind farms in Yorkshire, including the 10MW Hook Moor wind farm. Last year, OnPath's four wind farms generated enough power for over 33,400 homes, making a substantial contribution to the region's energy security and the UK's net-zero objectives.
