Renewable energy developer OnPath Energy has started construction on a 40MW solar project in West Yorkshire.
The Barnsdale Solar Energy Park, located to the east of the city of Leeds, received unanimous planning approval in 2021. Construction has now started on the 50 hectares of land on which the solar PV power plant will be located, with local contractor Cheetham Hill Construction beginning work on the entrance to the site to facilitate further construction in the new year. The development will be connected directly to the electricity grid from the nearby Ledston Primary substation to the south east of the site.
Part of the development plans for the site include what OnPath Energy claims will be the largest increase in biodiversity for any sustainable energy project in Leeds to date, with an expected net gain of 106% in biodiversity at the site. This will be achieved by planting wildflower meadows, native trees, shrubs and hedges, and by creating new wetland habitats.
OnPath Energy had previously considered installing a co-located battery energy storage system (BESS) on site and even submitted a new planning application to Leeds City Council in May 2023. However, OnPath Energy later withdrew this extended building application at the request of the municipality, which requested additional information before an application could be resubmitted.
Will Rust, development planner at OnPath Energy, said: “This is a significant milestone in the development of a project that will deliver a wide range of environmental, environmental, energy security and social benefits for local communities and the wider region.
“The Barnsdale Solar Energy Park will also further expand OnPath Energy’s contribution in Yorkshire to achieving Britain’s crucial Net Zero targets, and we are pleased to see development work now commencing at the Barnsdale site .”
OnPath on the road to success
If reported by our sister site, Current±OnPath energy This month sold its remaining 50.1% stake in the Kype Muir Wind Farm Extension to funds owned by Schroders Greencoat, which now fully owns the Kype Muir Wind Farm Extension.
The Yorkshire region has also seen other big solar news this month. A 55MW solar power plant, owned and operated by Atrato Onsite Energy, came online last week, becoming the largest operational solar power plant in the region. British utility OVO Energy has entered into a three-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Atrato and will purchase approximately 49 GWh of electricity annually from the site.
