National Grid : Viking Link phase 2 public consultation closed

17 Oct 2016

The team behind the Viking Link interconnector project thanks everybody for giving their views on the latest project proposals.

Over the last six weeks, National Grid Viking Link Limited (NGVL) have been seeking views on potential underground cable routes that will link the coastal landfall at Boy Grift near Sandilands on the Lincolnshire coast with the preferred converter station site at North Ing Drove near to the Bicker Fen 400 kV substation. In addition views have been sought on design options for the converter station which is an integral part of the Viking Link project.

Consultation closed on 14 October and the project team will now consider all of the feedback received as they begin developing a specific route for the underground cables and design style for the converter station.

Oliver Wood, National Grid Viking Link Project Director, said: 'Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to give us their views. We have had lots of useful and informative feedback which will be invaluable as we begin to develop a detailed design for the project.

'Once we have identified a specific cable route we will share it with local people before we apply for planning permission from the local authorities next year.'

'Viking Link will help provide our country with a secure supply of affordable electricity and help us move towards more renewable and low carbon sources of energy. Achieving these goals will require new equipment and we want to work with local communities to find the best solution for everyone.'

Viking Link is a project that will link the electricity systems of Great Britain and Denmark, enabling power to be imported and exported between the two countries. This will help provide Britain with a secure supply of affordable electricity and help the move towards more renewable and low carbon sources of energy.

Following public consultation in the spring, NGVL announced a preferred coastal landing point for the cables, at Boy Grift near to the Sandilands Golf Course. The team also confirmed a preferred site for the converter station, at North Ing Drove, near Bicker Fen.

Viking Link is being developed in co-operation between National Grid Viking Link Ltd and Energinet.dk, the Danish electricity transmission system operator.

It would involve laying two high voltage, direct current cables, each approximately 15 centimetres in diameter, between Revsing in Denmark and Bicker Fen in Lincolnshire and building a converter station in the Bicker Fen area to change the direct current electricity into the alternating current electricity used in our homes and businesses.

More information can be found on the project website: www.viking-link.com. If anyone has any questions they can contact the project team on 0800 731 0561 or email vikinglink@communityrelations.co.uk.