OnPath agrees to Yorkshire solar park sale

A North East renewable energy developer has agreed the sale of a Yorkshire solar park.

Sunderland-headquartered OnPath Energy is selling Barnsdale Solar Park, near Leeds, which is capable of powering up to 19,000 homes annually, to London-listed Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust (ORIT), managed by Octopus Energy Generation.

The transaction remains subject to closing conditions.

Located between Kippax and Allerton Bywater, the solar park has been under construction for 18 months and is expected to connect to the National Grid later this year.

The development secured a Contract for Difference in the Government’s fifth allocation round, providing a framework for its future electricity generation.

A community fund established through the project is expected to contribute approximately £1 million over its lifetime, supporting local charities, voluntary organisations and environmental initiatives.

Barnsdale is also targeting a 106 per cent biodiversity net gain, more than ten times the expected level for a development of its type and potentially the largest increase associated with a renewable energy project in Leeds.

Bosses say the sale will support OnPath Energy’s wider growth plans as it prepares to bring forward new renewable energy projects across the UK.

Richard Dunkley, chief executive at OnPath Energy, said: “Both acquisitions and sales are a critical part of our growth strategy, proceeds from selling existing assets will be used to advance our evolving pipeline of renewables projects across the UK.

“OnPath is continuing to execute its growth strategy with pace and purpose as we work to maximise the social, environmental, economic and energy security benefits we can deliver across our portfolio.​

“Over the coming months, we will be continuing to grow our development pipeline as we bring major new renewable energy projects forward across Great Britain which will add to our plans to invest around one billion pounds in clean energy projects over the next five years.”

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.