National Grid and Denmark’s Energinet.dk have today announced the start of a study to look at the possibility of a first electricity power connection between Great Britain and Denmark.

Work will start immediately with the aim to compete it by the end of 2012. This new ‘pre-feasibility’ study is a very early stage to examine the possibilities for 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 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”.

Torben Glar Nielsen, Executive Vice President, Electricity Division, Energinet.dk said
“Both Great Britain and Denmark are planning for integration of future very high amounts of wind power. 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”.

The study will look at different technical solutions, possible project benefits, potential routes and landing points, the capacity of the cable and potential commissioning timetable.  It will also examine how the new cable would help countries export and import renewable power, as well as being part of 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

For further information:

National Grid: Isobel Rowley press officer 
+44 (0) 1926 655275  Mobile + 44 (0) 7917 211116

Energinet.dk: Peter Børre Eriksen, Head of Systems Analysis, tel. +45 70 10 22 44.