Work underway on South Yorkshire solar park

A renewable energy project in South Yorkshire is taking shape as construction work gets underway.

Sunderland-headquartered OnPath Energy is developing Common Farm Solar Park near Todwick Road Industrial Estate in Dinnington, combining solar generation with battery storage technology.

Once operational, the scheme is expected to generate enough green electricity to meet the average annual needs of up to 18,800 family homes.

Construction activity is progressing across the site, including piling, cable trenching, access roads and fencing, alongside foundations and drainage for the battery energy storage system.

Completion is scheduled for mid-2027.

Infrastructure consultancy AECOM is acting as lead consultant, while specialist engineering contractor Grupotec has been appointed to deliver design, engineering, procurement and construction work.

Grupotec will also provide operational maintenance and management services for the first two years after generation begins.

Chris Gallagher, managing quantity surveyor at OnPath Energy, said: “Work at the Common Farm Solar Park site is progressing well, and we’re excited to reach this latest landmark in its development.

“This project will further enhance OnPath’s contribution by generating homegrown energy, reducing the UK’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthening the UK’s energy security while delivering a wide range of direct environmental, economic and community benefits to the local area.

“Grupotec’s technical expertise and renewables capability will be vital in the successful delivery of the scheme and we are very pleased to have them on board.”

Javier Vela, commercial and contracting director at Grupotec, added: “We are pleased to contribute all our technical expertise and integrated capabilities across the entire value chain to the Common Farm Solar Park project.

“This is both a professional challenge and a responsibility that we embrace with pride, as we continue to further contribute to the UK’s sustainable development goals.

“In parallel with project execution, Grupotec remains deeply committed to sustainability – ensuring not only a positive environmental impact but also meaningful benefits for local communities.”

Common Farm will be OnPath Energy’s first project to combine solar and battery technologies at the same location.

Plans also include environmental improvements, with species-rich grassland planted across the 116-hectare site to create a new wildflower meadow and deliver a biodiversity net gain.

Meanwhile, consultation is continuing over an annual community benefits package worth around £50,000, potentially totalling approximately £2 million over the project’s lifetime, to support local community and environmental priorities.

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