ANGOR, IRELAND – AUGUST 2025
In the windswept town of Bangor Erris on Ireland’s rugged western coast, engineers are launching giant autonomous kites into the sky — not for sport, but to generate renewable electricity in a groundbreaking test that could redefine wind energy.
Welcome to the world’s first designated airborne wind energy (AWE) test site, where Dutch firm Kitepower is leading an innovative project that could help decarbonize remote regions and reduce global dependence on fossil fuels.
⚡ How the Kite System Works
The 60-square-meter kite is deployed like a giant yo-yo, tethered to a generator on the ground. It soars to heights of 400 meters (1,300 feet), then reels back down to 190 meters, repeating the cycle to generate electricity — similar to how a bicycle dynamo works.
“It flies up, pulls the tether, and spins the generator. Then it reels back and repeats. It generates 2.5 tons of force each cycle,” explained Padraic Doherty, Kitepower’s site engineer.
Each flight can produce up to 30 kilowatts of electricity, stored in a 336 kWh battery — enough to power a remote base, small island, or construction site.
🌍 Why It Matters: A Mobile, Low-Impact Renewable Solution
Unlike traditional wind turbines, which require months of construction, expensive foundations, and access to power grids, the kite system is:
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Quick to deploy (set up in 24 hours)
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Highly mobile (ideal for off-grid areas)
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Low-impact (minimal disturbance to landscape and wildlife)
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Storm-resilient (remained operational during Ireland’s Storm Eowyn in January)
“It’s clean energy without the footprint,” said Andrei Luca, Kitepower’s operations head. “You don’t need a fuel supply, just wind.”
🔬 The Technology Behind It
Developed at Delft University of Technology (Netherlands), the system uses autonomous flight software to operate the kite, while engineers like Doherty monitor ground-level controls for optimal performance.
The goal is to scale up deployments by using multiple kites — potentially enough to power larger islands or rural regions.
🇮🇪 Ireland’s Wind Energy Challenge
Ireland has massive wind potential but is struggling to meet its offshore wind goals due to planning delays and grid limitations. Current targets include:
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20 GW of offshore wind by 2040
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At least 37 GW by 2050
According to Wind Energy Ireland, wind accounted for around one-third of the nation’s electricity in 2024.
“AWE could help fill the gaps where turbines are hard to install,” said Mahdi Salari, a wind researcher at University College Cork.
⚠️ What’s Holding It Back?
While the potential is clear, experts caution that regulatory hurdles, safety concerns, and system reliability must be addressed before widespread adoption.
Still, supporters believe that by the early 2030s, airborne wind systems like Kitepower could become key contributors to a flexible, distributed global renewable energy mix — especially in remote or infrastructure-poor regions.
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World’s first airborne wind energy test site launched in Ireland
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Giant kites generate renewable electricity by flying and reeling in cycles
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Fast setup, mobile, low-impact alternative to wind turbines
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Useful for remote islands, polar stations, disaster zones
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Could support Ireland’s and the EU’s net-zero energy goals
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Challenges remain in regulation and large-scale deployment
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