Balfour Beatty wins £90mn contract to connect UK-Denmark power grids

Balfour Beatty has struck a £90mn deal to deliver the British onshore civils works for the Viking Link Interconnector Project on behalf of joint venture partners, National Grid and Energinet.

As part of the four-year contract, Balfour Beatty will be responsible for the civil engineering and installation of 68 kilometres of high voltage cabling across Lincolnshire; connecting Denmark to Great Britain at National Grid’s Bicker Fen substation.

On completion, the project will form part of the wider 765km Viking Link which will supply sustainable electricity for 1.4 million homes in Great Britain and improve the security of electricity supply in both countries. In addition, the Viking Link will contribute to the UK Government’s carbon reduction commitment to reduce all greenhouse emissions to net zero by 2050, by providing access to a well-developed, low cost renewable energy market.

Ian Currie, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission and Distribution business commented: “We are delighted to be contributing to this landmark project which will support the Government’s carbon reduction target and provide numerous homes across Great Britain with access to sustainable electricity.”

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“Our expert teams have years of experience and in-depth knowledge in delivering complex high voltage cabling projects and we look forward to providing National Grid and Energinet with a comprehensive solution which will ensure safe and efficient delivery,” he added.

Mike Elmer, Viking Link Project Director for National Grid Ventures said: “This contract is a major milestone in the next part of the project. We’re pleased to be working with Balfour Beatty, who will deliver the onshore cable installation section of the Viking Link Interconnector between landfall site at Sandilands and the Converter Station at Bicker Fen. 

“Viking Link will enable Great Britain to import and export electricity; provide a secure supply of affordable electricity and play a vital role in helping to decarbonise the UK’s power supply on our journey to a net zero carbon energy system.”

Works are due to commence in January 2020 with completion scheduled for the end of 2023. At peak construction, the Balfour Beatty will employ a workforce of 160 including two apprentices.