Sunderland's OnPath Energy brings in Washington's TMS Grid for South Yorkshire solar energy site contract
Sunderland-headquartered renewables developer OnPath Energy has appointed Washington-based TMS Grid to build the new substation that will manage the electrical output from a new renewable energy generation and storage project in South Yorkshire.
OnPath Energy is building the Common Farm Solar Park close to the Todwick Road Industrial Estate in Dinnington, to the east of Sheffield, which will be able to generate enough green electricity to meet the average annual requirements of up to 18,800 family homes.
OnPath has now brought in market-leading independent connection specialist TMS Grid to deliver the Common Farm Solar Park’s connectivity infrastructure for both itself and Northern PowerGrid.
The project’s 50MW battery storage facility will link directly into the Thurcroft electricity sub-station, around three kilometres to the north of the site, to help make the energy grid more efficient, facilitate more renewable energy generation and support the long-term security of energy supplies to UK consumers.
TMS Grid has now started work on levelling and preparing the 2,500 square metre substation site, with construction of the building expected to start around the end of the year.
The development of the substation will take around a year to complete, with up to 12 people working on site at any given time.
Construction work proper on the Common Farm Solar Park is expected to begin over the winter, and is scheduled to be complete in mid-2027.
Peter Eagle, chief executive officer at TMS Grid, says: “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.”
Martin Kellerman, construction director at OnPath Energy, adds: “Work on delivering the direct environmental, energy security, economic and community benefits that the Common Farm Solar Park will bring to the local area is beginning to accelerate.
“Partnering with businesses that share our long-term values to deliver sustainable locally sourced projects of the highest quality is a central part of our OnPath Together development approach.
“The experience and expertise that TMS Grid provides is ideal for this part of the project and we’re very pleased to be working with such a well-regarded firm in this field.”
Full details of the Common Farm Solar Park can be found at www.onpathenergy.com/common-farm.
For further information on OnPath Energy, visit www.onpathenergy.com.