Viking Link: UK Onshore Scheme Planning Appeal Core Document Reference 4.7 Phase 2 Consultation Feedback Report UK Onshore Scheme Phase 2 Consultation Feedback Report Volume 1 VKL-08-39-G500-006 Chapter 01 December 2016 Introduction © National Grid Viking Link Limited 2016. The reproduction or transmission of all or part of this report without the written permission of the owner, is prohibited and the commission of any unauthorised act in relation to the report may result in civil or criminal actions. National Grid Viking Link Limited will not be liable for any use which is made of opinions or views expressed within it. Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................5 1.1 Background ...................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Purpose of the report .......................................................................................................... 6 1.3 Structure of the report......................................................................................................... 7 2 APPROACH TO CONSULTATION .................................................................................8 2.1 Overview .......................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Phase 1 Consultation ....................................................................................................... 10 2.3 Public Participation Events ................................................................................................ 10 2.4 Local authority and stakeholder workshops and briefings ....................................................... 12 3 PHASE 2 CONSULTATION DELIVERY .......................................................................15 3.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................ 15 3.2 Local authorities, statutory stakeholders and other stakeholder groups..................................... 19 3.3 MPs and MEPs................................................................................................................ 19 3.4 Parish councils ................................................................................................................ 20 3.5 Landowners .................................................................................................................... 20 3.6 Local communities ........................................................................................................... 21 3.7 Public consultation events ................................................................................................. 21 3.8 Project website ................................................................................................................ 23 4 PHASE 2 CONSULTATION FEEDBACK .....................................................................24 4.1 Consultation feedback channels ......................................................................................... 24 4.2 Managing feedback .......................................................................................................... 24 4.3 Responses received ......................................................................................................... 24 4.4 Feedback received general themes .................................................................................... 25 List of Tables Table 2.1 Details of Public Participation Events 11 Table 2.2 Stakeholder workshops and meetings 12 Table 2.3 Local authority meetings 13 Table 2.4 Elected member briefings 14 Table 3.1 Details of public consultation events 22 Table 4.1 Feedback received by type 24 Table 4.2 Feedback received by respondent 25 December 2016 VKL-08-39-G500-006 List of Figures Figure 1.1 Overview of Viking Link 5 Figure 3.1 Orange Route Corridor 15 Figure 3.2 Purple Route Corridor 16 Figure 3.3 Converter station ‘contextual’ design 17 Figure 3.4 Converter station ‘functional’ blue design 17 Figure 3.5 Converter station ‘functional’ green design 18 December 2016 VKL-08-39-G500-006 1 Introduction 1.1 Background 1.1.1 Viking Link is a proposed 1400 megawatt (MW) high voltage direct current (DC) electricity link (or interconnector) between the British and Danish transmission systems which will allow electricity to be exchanged between the two countries equivalent to around 1.3% of Great Britain's current usage. It is being jointly developed by National Grid Viking Link Limited (NGVL) and its development partner Energinet.dk (ENDK). 1.1.2 An overview of Viking Link is illustrated in Figure 1.1. The Project comprises approximately 760km of DC onshore and offshore electricity transmission cables between new converter stations at each end of the link. These are in turn connected to the high voltage electricity transmission networks at existing substations in Bicker Fen, Lincolnshire in Great Britain and at Revsing, south Jutland in Denmark. Figure 1.1 Overview of Viking Link 1.1.3 More specifically the Project comprises the following: In Denmark, referred to as the ‘DK Onshore Scheme’: - New equipment within an existing 400 kV substation and a high voltage alternating current (AC) connection between the existing electricity transmission system and a new converter station; - New converter station to change electricity between AC and DC or vice versa depending on direction of operation; December 2016 5 VKL-08-39-G500-006 - Onshore underground DC cables from a converter station to the coast in western Denmark. In the North Sea (Danish, German, Dutch and United Kingdom Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ)), referred to as the ’Offshore Scheme’: - Approximately 650 km of submarine DC cables buried in the seabed for as much of their length as practicable. In the United Kingdom, referred to as the ‘UK Onshore Scheme’: - Onshore underground DC cables from the Lincolnshire coast to a new converter station; - New converter station to change electricity between DC and AC or vice versa depending on direction of operation; - AC cables from the converter station to new equipment within an existing substation which connects to the existing electricity transmission system. 1.1.4 The interconnector will enable more effective use of renewable energy, access to sustainable electricity generation and improved security of electricity supplies. Thus it will have socioeconomic benefits for both Denmark and Great Britain and the wider European community. 1.1.5 Viking Link has been designated a Project of Common Interest (PCI) under the TEN-E Regulations. These set out guidelines to assist in the development of energy networks within Europe, in particular streamlining the permitting process for major energy infrastructure projects that contribute to European energy networks. Under the TEN-E Regulations, developers are required to consult with all stakeholders and provide an opportunity for them to attend meetings, comment on proposals and discuss any concerns they may have on the Project. 1.2 Purpose of the report 1.2.1 NGVL is currently undertaking a comprehensive pre-application engagement programme on the Viking Link project. 1.2.2 This report presents a detailed account of the stakeholder engagement and public consultation which has been undertaken following the Phase 1 Consultation. It includes details of the Public Participation Events which were held in July and August 2016 and the Phase 2 Consultation held from Monday, 5 September 2016 to Friday, 14 October 2016. 1.2.3 The Public Participation Events were held to introduce the Project to local residents, landowners and stakeholders across the Cable Route Corridor Search Area and give people the opportunity to comment on proposals at an early stage. 1.2.4 The Phase 2 Consultation sought views on the underground DC cable route corridor options between the preferred landfall site at Boygrift, East Lindsey and the preferred converter station site at North Ing Drove, South Holland. 1.2.5 The Phase 2 Consultation also sought views on the design style options for the converter station building. December 2016 6 VKL-08-39-G500-006 1.2.6 This report also sets out the feedback received, along with NGVL’s responses to the key issues and themes raised. 1.3 Structure of the report 1.3.1 This Consultation Feedback Report is split into three volumes. 1.3.2 Volume 1 is structured as follows: Chapter 1 – provides a general introduction about the Project Chapter 2 – outlines the approach to the Phase 2 Consultation and engagement undertaken Chapter 3 – details the delivery of the Phase 2 Consultation Chapter 4 – provides a summary of the Phase 2 Consultation feedback received. 1.3.3 Volume 2 is structured as follows: Chapter 5 – provides NGVL’s responses to feedback on cable route corridors Chapter 6 – provides NGVL’s responses to feedback on converter station design styles Chapter 7 – provides NGVL’s responses to the Phase 2 Consultation feedback - stakeholders. 1.3.4 Volume 3 of this report contains chapter 8, the appendices. December 2016 7 VKL-08-39-G500-006 2 Approach to consultation 2.1 Overview 2.1.1 NGVL has committed to engage with stakeholders throughout the development of the Project. The objectives of the engagement activities are: to engage and consult publicly on the Project; to seek feedback to help inform NGVL’s decisions; and to ensure NGVL delivers a compliant and robust consultation