Building Viking Link – The world’s longest electrical interconnector
AFRY contributes to the Danish part of Viking Link
On December 29, 2023, the Viking Link connection between Denmark and the United Kingdom was officially opened — a major milestone in advancing the green energy transition.
Project highlights
Project
Electrical Interconnector
Partners
Energinet, National Grid
Project duration
Project initiated in 2013, AFRY began its involvement in December 2021 and completed its part in 2022.
Project location
West Jutland, Denmark
AFRY scope of services
Project management
Connecting Denmark and the UK for green energy
Viking Link is the world’s longest electrical interconnector between two countries. Spanning 765 kilometers, the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable connects National Grid’s substation in Bicker Fen, Lincolnshire, with Energinet’s station in Revsing, Denmark. The subsea cable comes ashore at Houstrup Beach in West Jutland, approximately 76 km near the Vejen Converter Station in southern Jutland.
Viking Link plays a crucial role in ensuring that every unit of green electricity generated — for example, from wind turbines and solar panels — is fully utilized. This not only supports a more stable energy supply but also fosters strong international partnerships that enhance energy security and accelerate the green transition in both countries.
The launch of Viking Link marks a significant step forward in securing grid stability and energy supply for both Denmark and the UK. At full capacity, the link can transmit enough electricity to power more than 2.1 million homes.
Viking Link is also a key enabler of the green transition, facilitating the use of renewable energy sources. It allows for the import and export of green electricity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
By connecting Denmark’s electricity grid with other European energy systems, the cable opens up new opportunities for cross-border energy trade. Denmark already has interconnectors with Norway, Sweden, and Germany, enabling the direct distribution of green energy to consumers.
Although Denmark primarily exports electricity, interconnectors like Viking Link also provide the flexibility to import energy from more cost-effective markets or during periods of lower domestic production.
By enabling direct electricity transmission between the UK and Denmark, Viking Link promotes the efficient use of renewable energy and reduces dependency on fossil fuels in both countries. This contributes to broader European energy and climate goals.
The subsea cable was brought ashore at Houstrup Beach, where it was drilled beneath the dunes to protect the surrounding natural habitat.
Supporting energy security and the green transition
In close collaboration with Denmark’s Energinet and the UK’s National Grid, AFRY played a key role in the Viking Link project — one of many initiatives where AFRY supports the green transition and energy security.
AFRY supported Energinet’s senior project management by taking on the sub-project management of the cable section. This included managing and collaborating with the contractor, as well as ongoing coordination with the UK team throughout the entire cable installation process, including cable pulling into Revsing Station and AIS assembly. Furthermore, AFRY actively participated in coordinating the final high-voltage testing of the complete installation and contributed to preparing the Danish part of the documentation for the handover from project to operations within Energinet.
AFRY’s experts also ensured that the substation and cable connection met the highest standards for quality, safety, and efficiency — reflecting AFRY’s commitment to delivering future-proof energy solutions.
