Solar energy project takes root in Dinnington

A South Yorkshire renewable energy project is powering ahead with early landscaping efforts underway.

The Common Farm Solar Energy Park, being developed near Dinnington by OnPath Energy, has completed its first phase of tree and hedge planting.

Officials say the work is part of wider efforts to enhance biodiversity across the 116-hectare site, which has already been seeded with wildflowers, with the aim to ensure the scheme “delivers a net benefit in biodiversity”.

Jill Askew, senior project manager at Sunderland-headquartered OnPath Energy, said: “The Common Farm Solar Energy Park’s detailed ecology and biodiversity strategy has been developed with as much care as any other part of the project and will ensure it delivers a net benefit in biodiversity to the local community.

“Completing the first phase of planting will give the hedgerow time to mature and get fully established over the summer before construction work begins, and we’ll be doing more of this sort of work in the coming months.”

With full construction expected to begin later this year, lasting until 2027, bosses say the solar park will feature a 49.9MW installed capacity and an additional 50MW battery storage facility, helping to power nearly 19,000 homes and displace over 11,000 tonnes of carbon annually.

A £50,000-per-year community benefit package is also in development, with ongoing consultation exploring how best to support local priorities throughout the project’s lifetime.

Common Farm is one of two solar energy projects under development in Yorkshire by OnPath Energy, the other being the Barnsdale Solar Energy Park, located east of Leeds.

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