LINCOLNSHIRE, UK - Siemens Energy and the UK National Grid have started the construction of the UK converter station for the Britain-Denmark HVDC interconnector.

Siemens Energy has been contracted for the Viking Link project, a joint venture between National Grid UK's National Grid Ventures and the Danish electricity system owner and operator, Energinet.

The manufacturer will supply technology for the 1,400 MW HVDC interconnector to be built between the British and Danish transmission systems, connecting the Bicker Fen substation in Lincolnshire to the Revsing substation in southern Jutland, Denmark. 

The project will involve the installation of approximately 472 miles of submarine and underground cables and the construction of a converter station in each country.

Construction has begun on the UK converter station which will be 3,229 ft² and house HVDC technology which will enable the transport of energy through the subsea and underground cable to and from Denmark.  

An identical converter station will be constructed at the other end of the interconnector, in Denmark.

By connecting the two countries' grids for the first time, Viking Link is expected to ensure a secure, sustainable and affordable supply of electricity to both British and Danish customers, the manufacturer said in a press release.

Source: Siemens Energy