The cable will run between Bicker Fen in Lincolnshire, the United Kingdom and Revsing in southern Jutland, Denmark. With a length of of which would pass through Danish, German, Dutch and British waters it would cross and be longer than the world's currently longest submarine power cable, the long NorNed.
Specification
The interconnector would be capable of transmitting up to 1,400 MW at 525 kV i.e. an annual transmission capacity of 12.3 TWh. It is similar in capacity, completion date and length to the UK–Norway North Sea Link.
In November 2015 Viking Link was put onthe EU "Projects of Common Interest" list, along with the COBRAcable between Jutland and the Netherlands, and the Krieger offshore wind turbine cable to Germany. In January 2017 Viking Link announced a €1.3 billion tender for seven contracts that detail all aspects of constructing and later maintaining both the land and sea components of the link. In March 2017 Fugro announced the completion of their contract to survey the seabed for the subsea section of the interconnector. According to some experts including National Grid's head of strategy the UK's decision to leave the EU can negatively influence the effort to link the UK power grid with the continent and may put planned interconnectors such as Viking Link on hold. In reaction to the Brexit referendum Viking Link stated that the plans to build and operate the interconnector remain unchanged and that they consider the project unlikely to be influenced since it has a strong business case, while National Grid claims that leaving the internal energy market would jeopardize interconnector projects such as Viking Link. In July 2019 Viking Link announced three contracts totaling €1.1 billion, one with Siemens for the two onshore substations and two for the manufacture and laying of the undersea cables to be done by Prysmian Powerlink S.r.l. and NKT HV Cables AB. Construction work is scheduled to start mid-2020 and expected to be complete by 2023. In December 2019, contracts were awarded for the UK onshore construction works. In November 2019, it was announced that preparation work had started on the beach in Denmark. In July 2020, Viking Link announced that work had started on the 475 mile interconnector.
Economic impact
The Viking Link will give the UK access to the west Denmark bidding area of Nord Pool Spot. An analysis in 2016 showed a DKK 5.6 billion overall benefit for the society using Viking Link, and a DKK 20 billion benefit for heat pumps in district heating. Combining the two yields a benefit of DKK 22.8 billion. By 2022 prices in Denmark are projected to rise by 15 DKK/MWh, and fall in England. The investment is estimated at 13.4 billion DKK. A new 400kV supporting power line in Denmark is expected to increase internal transmission capacity and reduce overhead power lines from 324 km to 145 km.
