An archaeological dig has been completed at the site of a 49MW solar and storage project in south Yorkshire, in the UK.
OnPath Energy is developing the Common Farm solar energy park, which will be located to the west of the Todwick Road Industrial Estate in Dinnington.
As part of preparations for construction work beginning next year, an area of more than 5000 square metres has been explored during the four-week dig, with OnPath commissioning locally-based specialists Archaeological Services WYAS to lead on the delivery of the required work.
The dig followed an initial investigation of the site earlier this year which saw more than 130 50m by two metre trial trenches being dug, while geo-physical surveys were also carried out to identify features which might be of archaeological interest.
A report will now be prepared on the findings of the dig for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council which will catalogue and reference any features and finds of particular note.
Matt Wells, project manager at Archaeological Services WYAS, said: “OnPath has already preserved some of the features of the Common Farm site that we identified as being of particular archaeological value, while our report will give a full insight into its overall make-up.”
OnPath Energy is expecting construction work to begin on the Common Farm solar energy park next summer and to finish before the end of 2026, with AECOM acting as lead consultant for the project.
A 50MW battery storage facility will link directly into the Thurcroft electricity sub-station around three kilometres to the north of the site, which will help make the energy grid more efficient, facilitate more renewable energy generation and support the long-term security of energy supplies to UK consumers.
Local consultation work is continuing to determine how the annual £50,000 package of community benefits that forms part of the project, which could equate to more than £2m through its lifetime, can best be used to support local community and environmental priorities.
Common Farm is one of two solar energy projects being developed in Yorkshire.
Jill Askew, senior project manager at OnPath Energy (formerly Banks Renewables), adds: “Making a detailed recording of the archaeological and geological history and constitution of the Common Farm Solar Energy Park site is an important part of the project’s delivery.
“It’s especially good to be able to commission a local firm to deliver this work, which fits with the OnPath Together approach we take to development that aims to invest in local economies by using suppliers who are near to our sites as much as possible.”