The construction of a power interconnector between the UK and Denmark could help to support the integration of wind energy in Europe’s grid, say National Grid and Energinet.dk.
The two companies have announced that they are to undertake a pre-feasibility study for a subsea cable linking the UK and Denmark. The interconnector would be the first between the two countries and could help underpin European renewable energy and competition objectives.
“This study is an important first step in looking at developing a link between Denmark and UK,” said Terry McCormick, head of UK and European Business Development at National Grid. “More interconnection with Europe supports the integration of renewable energy and gives us more options to balance our network in UK.
“It could also meet European objectives of bringing more competition to the market.”
The study will look at different technical solutions for the interconnector, as well as project benefits, potential routes and cable capacity. It will also examine how the cable would help the UK and Denmark to export and import renewable energy.
“Both Great Britain and Denmark are planning for integration of future very high amounts of wind power,” said Torben Glar Nielsen, executive vice president at Energinet.dk. “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, is currently building a new interconnector to Norway and is investigating the possibility of establishing an interconnection between Denmark and the Netherlands.
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