Final piece of Lincolnshire land cable in place for National Grid’s new electricity link to Denmark

The final piece of UK land cable for National Grid’s new interconnector to Denmark has been laid in Lincolnshire this week.

  

This is the 118th cable laid in the 67km land route which runs from the coast to Bicker Fen where imported green energy will join the UK transmission system.

 

The final piece of cable measures just under 1.2 km and weighs around 40kg per metre. It took specialists around three hours to install using remote controlled reels to lower the cable into the bay where it will now be joined to the sea cable.

 

The work marks a key milestone for the project, which began construction in summer 2021, and is the final piece of land cable for both countries. The remaining sections of subsea cable will be laid offshore next year completing the link between the two countries.

 

Due to be complete by the end of 2023, Viking Link will be the world’s longest land and subsea cable interconnector – stretching for more than 470 miles between the two countries.

 

It is a €2 billion joint venture between National Grid and Danish system operator Energinet and the project is expected to save 900,000 tonnes of carbon by the end of 2024.

 

The link will enable the sharing of green energy with Denmark – meaning energy can be moved from where it is generated to where it is needed in the flick of a switch – ensuring no energy is wasted.

 

Viking Link will be able to import 1.4 GW of green electricity to power 1.4 million UK homes and will play a key role in the energy system improving links with partner countries.

 

By 2024, National Grid’s interconnectors will enable the sharing of enough clean electricity to power around 8 million UK homes.

 

National Grid’s Director for New Interconnectors Phil Sandy said: “This is a key milestone for Viking Link and means we are one step closer to completion. Once operational Viking Link will play a key role in the UK energy system allowing us to share green energy with our partners in Denmark and ensure security of supply. 

 

“By 2030, we estimate our interconnectors, will have saved the UK around 100 million tonnes of CO2 by enabling the fast and flexible sharing of clean and green energy with our European neighbours. This is equivalent to taking two million cars off the road. Interconnectors also play a key role as we move away from oil and gas.These vital energy superhighways connect Britain with cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy for consumers.”

 

To find out more about National Grid Interconnectors, how they work and their role in decarbonising the energy system click here.