Siemens Energy kicks off Viking Link UK converter station works

Siemens Energy has started construction of National Grid’s Viking Link UK converter station at Bicker Fen in Lincolnshire.

As the lead contractor for the 1400 megawatt interconnector, Siemens Energy, will supply the technology that will enable the direct sharing of clean electricity between Britain and Denmark for the very first time.

A converter station converts electricity between alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC).

AC is used in each country’s transmission system, while DC is used for sending electricity long distances along the subsea cables.

Also, an identical converter station will be at the other end of the interconnector, in Denmark.

Specifically, the converter station will be 300 square metres, the equivalent of around 12 football pitches. It will house state-of-the-art high voltage direct current (HVDC) PLUS technology, which enables the export and import of energy through the 765-kilometer subsea and underground cable to and from Denmark.

In July, UK work started to build a new access road and a bridge over the Hammond Beck waterway. This new permanent infrastructure will enable access for the major construction equipment to the converter station and for operational vehicles to access the site once the converter station is completed in 2023, reducing traffic through Bicker Village.

In total around 60 people are working on the site following Government and industry guidelines for Covid-19 management.

“Viking Link will play a vital role in the UK’s future energy system allowing the transmission of power with Denmark. This will enable further decarbonisation of the UK’s electricity supplies and help reach net zero.

“This next stage of construction will see the heart of the project begin to take shape, with the converter station housing the equipment needed to transmit this power safely and efficiently.”

Mike Elmer, Viking Link project director for National Grid Ventures, also said:

“The start of construction of the converter station in Lincolnshire is a major milestone for the project as it will play an integral role in connecting the British and Danish electricity systems.

“As part of a network of subsea, clean energy super-highways connecting the UK with its neighbours, Viking Link will help to reduce Britain’s carbon emissions from the power sector. By 2030, 90 per cent of electricity imported via National Grid’s interconnectors will be from zero carbon sources.”

Viking Link project is a joint venture between National Grid Ventures, part of National Grid, and the Danish electricity system owner and operator, Energinet.