NIRAS, Intertek Secure Viking Link Work

NIRAS and Intertek have been appointed by Energinet.dk and National Grid Viking Link Limited (National Grid) as Marine Consultants to support with the permitting of Viking Link.

Viking Link is a proposed international offshore infrastructure project linking electricity networks in Great Britain and Denmark.

Betina Heron, Executive Director for Environment and Energy in NIRAS, says:

“NIRAS has been providing environmental consultancy services to the energy sector for 25 years. This contract reinforces our expertise in permitting and EIA for marine infrastructure across multiple jurisdictions and builds on our track-record in offshore wind, ports and harbours.”

The project is being jointly developed by Energinet.dk, the Danish transmission system operator, and National Grid through its subsidiaries. Viking Link is a proposal to build a high voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnector between Denmark and Great Britain using subsea and underground cables, which also crosses German and Dutch territories.

Viking Link will make it possible for Danish electricity producers – owners of conventional power plants as well as wind turbines – to export power to the UK market. Denmark will be able to import power from England, the company explained.

Currently at initial development stage, the interconnector is expected to be 600 to 700 km in offshore cable length, and have a capacity of 1,400 MW. Viking Link is scheduled to be operational in 2022.

As Marine Consultants, NIRAS and Intertek will have overall responsibility for the delivery of all consent application material to permit the installation of the submarine cables for Viking Link in all four territories – Danish, German, Dutch and British waters. The scope of services include: cable route optimisation, marine survey support, and preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) and stakeholder engagement across all jurisdictions, NIRAS said.

Frank Beiboer, Managing Director of Intertek Energy and Water Consultancy Services, said:

“We at Intertek are pleased to have been selected by National Grid and Energinet.dk and look forward to working closely with their project team to develop this major international offshore infrastructure project. Our power cable track-record spans more than 15 years and 10 interconnectors.”