The UK might be set to install a new electricity power connection that will see the country share renewable energy resources with Denmark. Although at a “very early stage”, the National Grid and Denmark’s Energinet.dk are looking at the possibility of a first electricity power connection between Great Britain and Denmark.
The initial pre-feasibility study will start immediately and will examine the viability and benefits of a new subsea cable, which would offer an option for interconnector trading between the two countries.
Terry McCormick, head of UK and European Business Development, National Grid said: “This study is an important first step in looking at developing a link between Denmark and UK. More interconnection with Europe supports the integration of renewable energy and gives us more options to balance our network in the UK. It could also meet European objectives of bringing more competition to the market. We look forward to working with Energinet to examine the possibilities”.
The study aims to evaluate different technical solutions, possible project benefits, potential routes and landing points, the capacity of the cable and a potential commissioning timetable.
The study will also evaluate how the proposed cable could help the countries import and export renewable energy, specifically harnessing the energy produced from off shore wind farms in the North Sea. The news follows the announcement of ‘Norstec’, a new industry partnership that aims at maximising the North Sea’s renewable energy resource by implementing a ‘super grid’ designed to connect offshore wind power.
Torben Glar Nielsen, Executive Vice President, Electricity Division, Energinet.dk. said: “Both Great Britain and Denmark are planning for the integration of very high amounts of wind power in the future. Therefore, the study will also look at how the new cable would help both countries export and import renewable power, as well as connecting into a future North Sea ‘super grid’ to connect offshore wind power”.
Great Britain currently has three operational cable interconnectors with Ireland, France and the Netherlands, and there are projects looking at connections with Norway and Belgium and increasing capacity with France and Ireland. Denmark has interconnectors with Norway, Sweden and Germany, and is currently building a new interconnector to Norway and is investigating the possibility of establishing an interconnection between Denmark and the Netherlands.
