National Grid has formally launched Viking Link, a record-breaking 475 mile-long land and subsea cable connecting British and Danish energy grids for the first time. Running from Bicker Fen converter station in Lincolnshire to one in southern Jutland, Denmark, across both land and sea, Viking Link is sharing British and Danish wind power.
The £1.8 billion project will be able to power up to 2.5 million UK homes and is the longest cable of its kind in the world. Since it commenced initial operations in December 2023, Viking Link has transported 1,733 GWh of power between the two countries – a figure that is set to increase over time.
In its first year, Viking Link is expected to save 600,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, which is equal to taking 280,000 cars off UK roads. National Grid says it will bring over £500 million of savings for UK consumers in its first decade of operations.
Read more:We visited the Viking Link converter station
Group CEO of National Grid, John Pettigrew, said: “In an ever-changing global energy market, the value that connections like Viking Link can provide to national energy security cannot be understated. Over its lifespan, this record-breaking connection will deliver over five billion pounds in efficiencies for UK consumers, allow us to trade hundreds of gigawatts in surplus power, and provide an indispensable tool in guaranteeing the continued reliability of our energy system.
“Projects like this are emblematic of the efforts National Grid will make to deliver for customers and climate alike. I’m delighted that we have been able to come together with industry leaders and those who collectively spent four million working hours over five years building Viking Link to recognise that.”
He added: “Physical connections to other countries are central to the international collaboration which sits at the heart of the energy transition we are undergoing. Our existing fleet, Viking Link and our planned Nautilus and LionLink projects will act as the cornerstone for North Sea nations to make the most of up to 300GW of offshore wind generation, delivering low-cost renewable energy to consumers with the least impact on coastal communities.”
Energy Security Secretary, Claire Coutinho, said: “At 475 miles long, 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.
“The record-breaking connection will power up to 2.5 million UK homes with clean energy from a trusted ally, while saving consumers £500 million on their energy bills.”
