“This wind solution using kites is amazing, and we have to boost this idea since it can even produce energy in isolated places and islands,” said recently MEP Nicolás González Casares at the European Parliament, highlighting a key opportunity for Airborne Wind Energy as a key player in Europe’s clean energy transition.
The occasion was a full-day of AWE events at the Parliament, kicking off with a Parliamentary Breakfast on Innovative Renewable Energy Technologies (iRETs), a high-level gathering hosted by MEP González Casares and co-organised by Airborne Wind Europe, Future Cleantech Architects, EUREC, and ETIPWind. Among the core themes of the event was how to bring next-generation clean energy solutions to the forefront of EU policy, especially those capable of meeting the unique challenges of isolated regions and islands.
Islands: At the frontline of the energy transition
Europe’s islands face disproportionate energy costs, limited land for infrastructure, and vulnerability to climate impacts. However, they are also ideal testing grounds for innovative renewable technologies. AWE, with its minimal land footprint, flexible deployment, and capacity to harness strong high-altitude winds, offers a game-changing solution.
During the event, policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers called for:
- A dedicated target for iRETs within the EU’s 2040 climate goals.
- Inclusion of innovative renewables in the upcoming EU Electrification Action Plan and 2028–2034 R&I Framework.
- Technology-specific support for deployment, permitting, and public acceptance.
As Kristian Petrick, Secretary General of Airborne Wind Europe (AWEU), stated: “Our technologies are made in Europe and for Europe and help increase the energy security in our continent.” For islands, that means local generation, less dependence on imported fuels, and more resilient communities.
AWE kite expo in front of the European Parliament!
Just outside the Parliament, on the Esplanade, a 40m² Airborne Wind Energy kite system caught the attention of passers-by as part of an outdoor exhibition that brought innovation into full view. The expo showcased what a future-ready renewable technology looks like: mobile, scalable, and perfectly suited for challenging locations such as islands.
Visitors included MEPs, European Commission representatives, journalists, students, and citizens.
Islands need innovation, and policy support
In the coming months, Airborne Wind Europe and its partners will continue to advocate for recognition and funding of iRETs as key components of the EU energy transition, not side notes. As MEP Thomas Pellerin-Carlin reminded participants: “The future is unwritten, but we must ensure that, through concrete policy decisions, innovation in renewables is part of the story.”
