Denmark interconnector to move into construction phase

A 1.4GW high voltage direct current interconnector that will stretch 472 miles from the Lincolnshire coast to Western Denmark will move into the construction phase after cable and converter station suppliers were chosen.

23rd July 2019 by Networks

Denmark interconnector to move into construction phase

Viking Link is a joint venture between National Grid Ventures, part of National Grid, and Danish system operator Energinet and is the UK’s first ever subsea electricity interconnector to Denmark.

The project will consist of two parallel HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) cables which will be manufactured and installed by Prysmian Powerlink S.r.l. and NKT HV Cables AB. Prysmian will deliver four of the five cable lots and NKT will deliver the onshore cable lot in Denmark.

Siemens will be supply and install equipment for two converter station sites in Lincolnshire, UK and Revsing, Denmark.

The three contracts have a combined value of 1.1bn euros (£990m). Viking Link will now move from development to the construction phase, with work in the UK and Denmark beginning next summer. Construction on Viking Link is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Jon Butterworth, chief operating officer for National Grid Ventures, said: “We’re thrilled to be kicking off such an important project for the UK. Viking Link will play a vital role in helping to decarbonise the UK’s power supply on our journey to a net zero carbon energy system. Interconnectors like Viking Link enable us to use every spare electron, meaning consumers get access to cleaner, cheaper and more secure electricity.”

Energinet chief technology officer Torben Glar Nielsen said: “Viking Link offers significant socio-economic welfare benefit for Denmark as well as bringing great benefits to UK consumers. At the same time, it will play a key role in the transition to green energy. This connection offers a broader market for renewable energy and will attract the development off more green power plants, such as offshore wind farms.”

Viking Link will be National Grid’s sixth interconnector to Europe. The company already has three operational interconnectors to France (IFA), the Netherlands (BritNed) and Belgium (Nemo Link). Two further projects are under construction to France (IFA2, operational 2020) and Norway (North Sea Link, operational 2021).

Following the completion of Viking Link, National Grid will have enough interconnector capacity (7.8 gigawatts) to power eight million homes. By 2030 90% of electricity imported via National Grid’s interconnectors will be from zero carbon sources.