National Grid has officially launched Viking Link, a groundbreaking 475-mile-long land and subsea cable connecting the energy grids of Britain and Denmark for the first time.
The cable, which runs from Bicker Fen converter station in Lincolnshire to a station in southern Jutland, Denmark, enables the sharing of British and Danish wind power. Viking Link represents National Grid's sixth interconnector and the UK's ninth, playing a crucial role in delivering low-cost, low-carbon power to UK consumers and helping balance the peaks and troughs associated with increasing wind power usage to combat climate change.
Since commencing initial operations in December 2023, Viking Link has already transported 1,733GWh of power between the two countries, with this figure expected to rise over time.
National Grid emphasized the importance of the ability to import power when renewable output is low, ensuring consumer demand is met at affordable prices. With the UK set to become a net exporter of power by the 2030s, interconnectors like Viking Link will become even more valuable.
John Pettigrew, Group Chief Executive of National Grid, highlighted the significance of Viking Link and other interconnector projects in enabling the deployment of 50GW of offshore wind by 2030: “In an ever-changing global energy market, the value that connections like Viking Link can provide to national energy security cannot be understated. Projects like this are emblematic of the efforts National Grid will make to deliver for customers and climate alike.”
Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho praised Viking Link's impact on achieving net zero emissions: “Viking Link is the world's longest land and subsea interconnector. This incredible feat of engineering will help us achieve net zero while strengthening our shared energy security.”
In addition to Viking Link, National Grid announced joint plans with TenneT for LionLink, a new 1.8GW interconnector between the UK and The Netherlands, expected to be operational in the early 2030s. National Grid is also collaborating with Elia on Nautilus, a project in the planning phase with the potential to connect the UK with Belgium and offshore wind generation.
