The UK government has finally given approval for the delayed 1.4GW UK-Denmark Viking Link interconnector, which is expected to aid pan-European flows of renewable energy in the next decade.

The Viking Link, which is being jointly developed by the UK’s National Grid and Danish transmission system operator Energinet, will establish a 770km-long high voltage direct current interconnector between Bicker Fen in Lincolnshire, eastern England, and Revsing in southern Jutland, Denmark.

The interconnector project, which was formally approved by the Danish government in October 2017, has been held up on the UK side by local opponents to the proposed route in the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire.

Local councillors in East Lindsey had raised concerns over the route, and questioned why alternative routes had not be picked as the preferred route goes through an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty.

A planning inspector has now ruled in favour of National Grid following a hearing in November. The UK’s Planning Inspectorate, which is a subsidiary of the UK’s Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has therefore granted its permission for the full project to go-ahead.

The project will enable both countries to import and export electricity. This will help boost the energy security of both countries during periods of high demand.

National Grid and Energinet last month signed an agreement on the establishment and operation of the Viking Link. The Joint Ownership and Operations Agreement will see each company hold a 50% share in the project and it also provides a basis for the project to take the step from the development to the establishment phase.

A National Grid spokesperson told Recharge it welcomed the decision by the Planning Inspectorate to allow the appeal, and grant planning permission for Viking Link subject to conditions.

“ The electricity interconnector will increase the UK’s electricity capacity and play an important role in helping to reduce the cost of electricity for homes and businesses. This will provide opportunities for shared use of renewable sources of generation and improve security of energy supplies in the UK.”

National Grid now have all of the required planning consents for the UK onshore scheme, which comprises the installation of underground direct current cables from a landfall point to the converter station; the construction of an associated permanent access road; as well as the installation of underground alternating current cables from the converter station to the existing substation at Bicker Fen.

“The next step will be to award contracts for the design, construction and installation of the interconnector during 2019. Once appointed, the contractors will develop detailed designs for the converter station at North Ing Drove and the installation of the cable between the landfall at Boygrift and the converter station. The project is expected to be commissioned in 2023,” the spokesperson added.