Construction has started on the West Yorkshire Solar Project, which will generate enough electricity to power 13,000 homes. Led by OnPath Energy, the 124-acre site will link directly to the Ledston Primary substation and help advance the region’s green energy goals.
Barnsdale Solar Energy Park Begins Construction
Construction has officially started on the Barnsdale Solar Energy Park, a major renewable energy initiative in West Yorkshire. The project, led by OnPath Energy—formerly Banks Renewables—will produce enough electricity to meet the annual needs of up to 13,000 homes, marking a significant step in boosting the region’s green energy capabilities.
OnPath Energy secured planning approval for the project in 2021. Spanning 124 acres of south-facing land between Kippax and Allerton Bywater, the site will connect directly to the Ledston Primary electricity substation, ensuring a seamless link to the local energy grid.
After several years in development, the project team has finalised all details and prepared the site for construction. With initial groundwork now in progress, the broader development will move forward in the new year. Construction of the site entrance has already begun, a key milestone for the project.
Contractors and Partners Involved in West Yorkshire Solar Project
Cheetham Hill Construction is managing the first phase of work, creating the site entrance under the guidance of infrastructure specialist AECOM. This partnership will ensure the site is ready for the installation of solar panels and related systems in early 2024.
As the West Yorkshire Solar Project progresses, it will have a substantial environmental impact. Covering 124 acres, the solar park will use modern technology to generate clean electricity, helping reduce the region’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources and contributing to the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 goal.
The Barnsdale Solar Energy Park is designed not only to generate renewable energy but also to support local ecosystems. Its ambitious ecology and biodiversity strategy aims for a 106% net gain—more than ten times the usual outcome for similar projects. The site will feature wildflower meadows, wetland habitats, and native tree plantings.
The design also incorporates scrub and hedgerow planting to create natural habitats for birds, insects, and small mammals. By combining solar energy generation with ecological planning, the Barnsdale site will benefit both the local community and the environment, showing how renewable energy can coexist with the protection and enhancement of nature.
Community Investment from the West Yorkshire Solar Project
In addition to its environmental and energy contributions, the Barnsdale Solar Energy Park will deliver a positive social impact. Over the project’s lifetime, more than £800,000 of its revenue will go into a community fund to provide grants for local groups and voluntary organisations.
Will Rust, a development planner at OnPath Energy, spoke about the significance of the West Yorkshire Solar Project. He said, “This is a significant landmark in the development of a project that will deliver a wide range of environmental, ecological, energy security and social benefits to local communities and the wider region.”
Rust also emphasised how the project will help the UK meet its Net Zero targets. He noted that OnPath Energy’s four Yorkshire wind farms already generate enough electricity for over 33,000 homes, and the Barnsdale Solar Energy Park will build significantly on this contribution, helping advance the nation’s green energy goals.
The Barnsdale Solar Energy Park is a major step for renewable energy in West Yorkshire, designed to provide long-term environmental, ecological, and social benefits. With the support of local contractors and partners, the project is progressing rapidly. Once complete, the Barnsdale solar farm will not only meet the energy needs of thousands of homes but also significantly advance the UK’s ambitious Net Zero goals.