Danish Energy Minister Approves Viking Link Cable

The Danish Minister for Energy, Utilities and Climate, Lars Christian Lilleholt, has approved Energinet’s investment in the Viking Link power cable connecting Denmark and Great Britain.

“This is really good news. Viking Link to Great Britain and an upgrade of the power grid in western Jutland will contribute to Energinet’s ability to adapt to the growing amount of wind energy, while maintaining the high security of supply at the same time. The two projects will yield significant socio-economic benefits in Denmark as well as in Great Britain and other neighbouring countries and make green transition more effective,” said Energinet’s CTO, Torben Glar Nielsen.

According to Energinet’s calculations, the socio-economic benefits for Denmark of Viking Link and the upgrades in western Jutland will, during their longevity of 40 years, give a socio-economic profit of approximately 4.7 billion Danish kroner.

Together with the British project partner, National Grid, Energinet has worked to prepare Viking Link since the signing of the cooperation agreement in 2014, and in 2015, Energinet’s board of directors approved the project together with a new interconnector across the Danish-German border.

In March 2018, the parties behind Viking Link will take the final investment decision, the company said.

Viking Link will consist of a 630 km long submarine cable in the North Sea and approximately 140 km land cable, of which 75 km will be laid in Denmark between Blåbjerg and Revsing near Vejen, where a converter station will be built, and where Viking Link will be connected with the Danish power grid.

Energinet expects the relevant authorities to give the environmental and planning permissions for establishment of the installations in Danish waters and on Danish territory in the beginning of 2018.

The upgrade of the power grid in western Jutland consists of two projects. From Endrup near Esbjerg and southwards towards the German border, an approximately 75 km long 400 kV overhead line will be established.

Furthermore, an existing 150 kV overhead line between Karlsgårde og Idomlund near Holstebro will be replaced by a new 400 kV overhead line between Endrup and Idomlund.

Viking Link and the overhead line from Endrup to the Danish-German border are expected to be commissioned at the end of 2022, while the overhead line between Endrup and Idomlund is scheduled for 2021.