Progress is underway on the 49MW Common Farm Solar Energy Park in South Yorkshire as OnPath Energy names infrastructure consultancy AECOM as the lead consultant for the project.
Located near the Todwick Road Industrial Estate in Dinnington, the solar park will have the capacity to supply electricity to approximately 18,800 homes annually and is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 11,470 tonnes each year. The project also includes a 50MW battery storage facility that will connect to the Thurcroft sub-station three kilometers away, enhancing grid efficiency and supporting energy security.
AECOM will manage the project's planning, transport, engineering, and environmental strategies, alongside designing the site's power system. The plan includes a detailed ecology and biodiversity strategy that features a wildflower meadow beneath the solar panels, aiming to deliver net biodiversity gains for the local community.
Local consultations are ongoing to allocate an annual £50,000 community benefits package, which could total over £2 million throughout the project's lifespan, to support community and environmental priorities.
Construction is slated to begin in summer 2025, with completion expected by the end of 2026. OnPath Energy anticipates involving regional subcontractors and suppliers during the build phase.
Martin Kellerman, construction director at OnPath Energy, highlighted the project's significance, stating, “The Common Farm Solar Energy Park will bring a wide range of direct environmental, energy security, and community benefits to the local area, and will further increase the contribution that OnPath Energy is able to make towards helping the UK meet its crucial net-zero targets.”
AECOM is also working on OnPath Energy's Barnsdale Solar Energy Park near Leeds, solidifying its role in delivering renewable energy projects in the UK.
