Solar farm will bring annual cash windfall for Todwick area
WORK on a new substation to manage power from a new renewable energy generation and storage project in Rotherham has started.
Renewables developer OnPath Energy is building the Common Farm Solar Park close to Todwick Road Industrial Estate, which will be able to generate enough electricity for up to 18,800 homes.
In addition, the site’s operators will put £50,000 into supporting community projects in the area for the lifespan of the site.
OnPath is using a specialist firm TMS Grid, to ensure the power generated gets into the national grid.
The project’s 50MW battery storage facility will link into the Thurcroft sub-station, to the north of the site, to help make the energy grid more efficient.
Work on levelling and preparing the 2,500 square metre substation site has started, with construction of the building expected to start around the end of the year.
The substation will take around a year to complete, with up to 12 people working on site at any time.
Construction work on the Common Farm Solar Park is expected to begin over the winter. It is scheduled to be complete in mid-2027.
The project’s detailed ecology and biodiversity commitments will ensure it delivers a net benefit in biodiversity to the local community.
New species-rich grassland has already been planted across the site’s entire 116 hectares to create a wildflower meadow has been established prior to the construction phase of the project.
Local consultation work is continuing to determine how the annual community benefits package of around £50,000, which could equate to around £2,000,000 through its lifetime, can best be used to build community value by supporting local community and environmental priorities.
Peter Eagle, chief executive officer at TMS Grid, said: “Our team has a wealth of experience of helping to deliver innovative renewable energy generation projects and works to the highest standards of quality, safety and sustainability.
“The Common Farm Solar Park is an excellent example of a modern, efficient project that will help to increase the amount of low carbon, green energy that’s available to all of us.”
OnPath already has solar farms in Donaster and Sheffield.