Renewable energy developer OnPath Energy has selected AECOM as lead consultant for a solar and storage project in South Yorkshire.
The appointment of the infrastructure consultancy represents a forward step in the development of the Common Farm Solar Energy Park in Dinnington, which will have an installed capacity of up to 49 MW and will be co-located with a 50 MW battery storage facility.
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council voted in favor of the project in May 2023, by a majority of eight to one. OnPath Energy, formerly known as Banks Renewables, filed a schedule in 2022.
It is planned for a 116 hectare site west of the Todwick Road Industrial Estate in Dinnington, about three miles east of OnPath’s Penny Hill wind farm.
AECOM will collaborate with OnPath on planning, transportation, engineering and environmental management during construction. It will also assist in the design of the energy system, which will see the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) connected directly to the Thurcroft electricity substation, approximately 3km north of the site.
OnPath said it expects construction to begin next summer and conclude before the end of 2026. A community benefit of £50,000 has been decided and consultations are ongoing on how best to use this. An ecology and biodiversity strategy aims to ensure that the development delivers a net gain for biodiversity, by planting a meadow of wildflowers around the solar panel.
Martin Kellerman, construction director at OnPath Energy, explained: “AECOM has extensive experience in delivering major infrastructure projects such as the Common Farm Solar Energy Park and has the expertise to manage all the different types of work required to deliver this.”
AECOM is already working on the delivery of OnPath’s Barnsdale Solar Energy Park. The Barnsdale project started in late October after receiving unanimous planning approval in 2021.
Kellerman continued, “We’ve seen how effective [AECOM’s] team are based at our Barnsdale Solar Energy Park site and we are very pleased to be expanding our operations
relationship with them here.”
OnPath previously considered installing a BESS at the Barnsdale location, as it did at Common Farm, but was rejected by the City Council. The first standalone BESS, the 200MW/400MWh 2-hour Pond Energy Park, passed West Lothian Council’s Executive Committee without objection.
The renewable energy developer appears to be diversifying its portfolio recently sold its shares in the Kype Muir Wind Farm Extension to funds owned by Schroders Greencoat.
Gordon Thomson, project director at OnPath Energy, said at the time: “OnPath has ambitious plans to make further additional capital investments in high-quality renewable energy infrastructure, increasing the difference we can make towards a net zero future for Britain.”
