National Grid has started onshore construction work for the Viking Link high-voltage direct-current interconnector cable which will link the UK and Denmark.
Siemens Energy has kicked off onshore building work at the project by breaking ground on a 2.4km-long access road to the project’s UK converter station site at Bicker Fen in Lincolnshire.
The road will take nine months to complete and will be used during the construction and operation of the converter station.
Siemens Energy is responsible for building the converter stations on both ends of the 765km link, which will be able to transport 1.4GW of energy.
“This is a key construction milestone for the project,” said Viking Link project director for National Grid Ventures Mike Elmer.
“Viking Link will play a vital role in helping to decarbonise the UK’s power supply on the journey to a net zero carbon energy system. It will enable access to a cleaner greener supply of electricity, which will make energy more secure and affordable for consumers.”
The €2bn interconnector is due to enter service in late 2023.
UK Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth Kwasi Kwarteng said the construction of the project will put Lincolnshire at the heart of the county’s economic recovery from the impacts of Covid-19.
“Not only will this scheme create local green-collar jobs across the county, but it will also bolster our energy security, reduce bills for consumers, and give our home-grown renewable generators a greater chance to export zero-carbon electricity around the world,” he said.