Denmark link seeks surveyor

National Grid Interconnector and Energinet.dk have started the tendering process to appoint a contractor to survey the sea bed between England and Denmark for the 1.4GW Viking Link interconnector project.

The appointment is expected to be made early next year. The successful company will be expected to carry out geophysical surveys and sampling to pinpoint areas of environmental and archaeological interest and help identify the best route for the cables and suitable landing locations.

If granted planning permission, Viking Link will extend for approximately 650km under the North Sea between the western coast of Denmark and the east coast of England in Lincolnshire.

It will connect into the National Grid at an existing substation at Bicker Fen and into the Danish electricity network at an existing substation site at Revsing.

It is planned to be operational by the end of 2022, but this depends on receiving all the necessary consents and making a final investment decision in early 2018.

National Grid European business development director Alan Foster said: “Connecting to Denmark will allow Great Britain to trade with the wider European, Scandinavian and Nordic electricity markets and bring additional sources of renewable energy to Britain from Denmark and its neighbouring countries.

“This in turn should have a positive impact on energy prices and increase security of energy supply for our country.”

Energinet.dk technical director Torben Glar Nielsen said: “It is essential for the effective development of Europe’s energy systems that electricity can move more freely across borders. Countries need to be more closely connected to each other physically.

“Viking Link can provide great socio economic gains, not only in Britain and Denmark, but throughout the north of Europe. We are delighted that the project is steadily moving forward.”

Image: if the project goes ahead power generated in Denmark could be utilised in the UK (Wikimedia Commons)