Intertek and NIRAS appointed as Marine Consultants for Viking Link Interconnector linking electricity networks in Great Britain and Denmark
05 Jan 2016
Intertek, a leading global quality solutions provider, and NIRAS, a global offshore specialist, have been appointed by National Grid Viking Link Limited (National Grid) and Energinet.dk (Energinet) as Marine Consultants to support with the permitting of Viking Link -- a proposed major international offshore infrastructure project linking electricity networks in Great Britain and Denmark.
The project is being jointly developed by National Grid through National Grid Viking Link Limited and its other subsidiaries, and Energinet.dk, the Danish transmission system operator. Viking Link is a proposal to build a high voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnector between Denmark and Great Britain using subsea and underground cables, which also crosses German and Dutch territories. Currently at initial development stage, the interconnector is expected to be 600 to 700 km in offshore cable length and have a capacity of 1,400 MW. Viking Link is scheduled to be operational in 2022.
As Marine Consultants, Intertek and NIRAS will have overall responsibility for the delivery of all consent application material to permit the installation of the submarine cables for Viking Link in all four territories - Danish, German, Dutch and British waters. The scope of services include: cable route optimisation, marine survey support, preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA), and stakeholder engagement across all jurisdictions.
Intertek and NIRAS have extensive environmental and permitting expertise in the UK and Denmark. Further input support will be provided by Witteveen+Bos Consulting Engineers B. V. and IfAÖ (Institut für Angewandte Ökosystemforschung GmbH) for specialist advice relating to Dutch and German waters.
Frank Beiboer, Managing Director of Intertek Energy & Water Consultancy Services, said: “We at Intertek are pleased to have been selected by National Grid and Energinet and look forward to working closely with their project team to develop this major international offshore infrastructure project. Our power cable track-record spans more than 15 years and 10 interconnectors.”
Betina Heron, Executive Director for Environment and Energy in NIRAS, said: “NIRAS has been providing environmental consultancy services to the energy sector for 25 years. This contract reinforces our expertise in permitting and EIA for marine infrastructure across multiple jurisdictions and builds on our track-record in offshore wind, ports and harbours.”
About Intertek
Intertek’s Energy & Water Consultancy Services provide the power transmission & renewables, oil & gas, water utility, and ports & harbours sectors with technical solutions to complex environmental and regulatory challenges throughout their project life cycle. We work as advisors and project managers for our clients through all stages of an offshore development - from concept, feasibility and design, through construction and operation, to decommissioning. We partner with developers, operators, asset owners, utilities, lenders and government.
Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 38,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com.
About NIRAS
NIRAS A/S is an international consulting group, with 38 offices in 26 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa, specialising in engineering and professional services, headquartered in Alleroed, Denmark. NIRAS provides engineering, planning, project management and other services for all aspects of the built environment, focusing on traditional construction projects like railroads, harbours, complex buildings, such as large hospitals, as well as environment, climate and energy – traditional energy as well as renewable and green energy – and sustainable development consulting. NIRAS’ more than 1,400 employees includes engineers, anthropologists, economists, architects, management consultants and many other professions. Visit www.niras.com.
About Viking Link
Viking Link is the name given to a proposed electricity interconnector being jointly developed by National Grid through National Grid Viking Link Limited and its other subsidiaries, and Energinet.dk, the Danish transmission system operator. The Viking Link interconnector will link the electricity systems of Great Britain and Denmark using high voltage subsea and underground cables where they will connect to the existing National Grid transmission network at Bicker Fen in Lincolnshire, Great Britain and the Revsing substation in southern Jutland in Denmark. The interconnector allows power to flow between the two countries and provides the opportunity to access new markets and trade power, helping to ensure secure, sustainable and affordable energy supplies. To find out more about the project please visit www.viking-link.com.
About National Grid
National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. The company owns and manages the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source. In Britain and the north-eastern states of the U.S., National Grid run the systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.
About Energinet.dk
Energinet.dk is an independent public enterprise owned by the Danish Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate. The company owns and operates Denmark’s main electricity and natural gas grids, helping supply people, businesses and institutions with reliable energy. Through international and market-based solutions, working together across the energy sector’s value chain, Energinet.dk strives to achieve balance in a sustainable energy system with increasing amounts of renewable energy.
Media enquiries:
Joanne Merriweather
Intertek UK PR Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 7786 525390
Email: joanne.merriweather@intertek.com
Kim Ulrik Schaumann
NIRAS communications partner
Mobile: + 45 60 40 91 89
Email: kis@niras.dk