The existing overhead line is a 180 km long 400 kV single-circuit line, and the plan is to erect towers in a new design to hold a 400 kV double-circuit line along the entire section. This will make it possible for the new overhead line to transmit twice as much electricity as the existing overhead line.
Stronger power line required
The Danish efforts to ensure a power system with a high degree of climate friendly energy particularly in the form of wind power make it necessary to reinforce the main power grid.
- When an increasingly growing part of electricity generation becomes wind-dependent, it becomes necessary to expand the "motorways" of the power grid and establish new electricity interconnections to our neighbouring countries, explains Torben Glar Nielsen, Executive Vice President, Electricity Division, Energinet.dk. We must be able to transmit wind power electricity to households and businesses; we must be able to export electricity when it is very windy; and we must be able to import electricity from our neighbours when there is no wind. Therefore we plan to reinforce the electricity transmission grid in Denmark - including the overhead line between Kassø and Tjele - and to establish new electricity interconnections to Norway and the Netherlands.
- In order for Denmark to gradually obtain an invisible power grid and for Energinet.dk and the regional transmission companies to carry out the plans to underground the smaller 132 and 150 kV high-voltage lines first, a stronger overhead line between Kassø and Tjele is a must. Once the technology required has been developed, the intention is to underground the 400 kV lines as well. To prevent the power supply from becoming unstable due to the undergrounding of cables, it is for the time being necessary to have a strong electricity backbone down through Jutland that can support the rest of the power system, continues Torben Glar Nielsen.
The costs of the expansion are budgeted at DKK 2.5bn provided the main proposal for the routing described in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) is implemented. The EIA carried out in connection with the expansion plans will be prepared by Environment Centre Aarhus and Environment Centre Odense. A public consultation on the assessment is expected to be implemented in spring 2010.
In pursuance of the Danish Act on Energinet.dk, the Danish Minister for Climate and Energy must approve the project, and Energinet.dk will therefore now apply for permission to carry out the expansion.
Background - Political agreement on the transmission grid of the future
In November 2008, the Danish Government, the Danish People's Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Socialist People's Party, the Danish Social Liberal Party and Liberal Alliance entered into an agreement on the principles for the future expansion of the main power grid in Denmark.
According to the agreement, large parts of the Danish transmission grid will be placed underground, the visual appearance of selected sections of the 400 kV grid will be improved, and the Jutland 400 kV transmission grid will be rein-forced by establishing a new overhead line between Kassø and Tjele. The long-term vision is to underground the 400 kV in step with the technological development.
Additional information:
Torben Glar Nielsen, Executive Vice President, Electricity Division, Energinet.dk, tel. +45 2333 8900.
Christian Jensen, Project Manager, Energinet.dk, tel. +45 2333 8636