Viking Link scheduled to be commissioned in 2023

Energinet and National Grid Viking Link (NGVL) expect to commission Viking Link in 2023. Contracts for the construction and installation of the interconnector will be awarded in 2019 after the required consents and licenses have been achieved.

In August 2017, NGVL and Energinet submitted planning and marine licence applications to the determining authorities to seek permission to develop a new interconnector between Great Britain and Denmark. During 2018, the majority of applications were approved, with decisions for outstanding consents expected in early 2019.   

In 2018 the Danish Environmental Protection Agency approved the Viking Link DK onshore scheme for the converter station and onshore DC cable.

In the UK, three of the four affected local planning authorities (Boston Borough Council, North Kesteven District Council & South Holland District Council) unanimously approved NGVL’s applications earlier this year, with decisions issued recently.

East Lindsey District Council refused the application in June 2018. NGVL has lodged an appeal against this decision with The Planning Inspectorate. The associated Planning Inquiry is scheduled to take place in November 2018, with a decision expected in early 2019.

Applications were submitted for the offshore scheme in 2017 and marine licences have been obtained for the installation of the subsea interconnector cables in British, Danish and Dutch territorial waters. Marine Licence applications are being assessed by the consenting authority in Germany, and we expect the approval to be in place later in 2018. 

Both partners continue to work with local authorities, land owners, communities, businesses and interest groups to address questions about our proposals. We continue to welcome enquiries about the project and the team can be contacted by clicking here.

A competitive procurement process for the design, build, commissioning and maintenance of the link is underway.

To view the updated project timeline, please click here.