Key Facts
• July 18, 2025: Project team prepares kite for testing in Bangor Erris, Ireland.
• 60-square-meter kite generates power by mimicking yo-yo or fishing reel motion.
• Kite reaches 400 meters altitude, retracts to 190 meters, producing 30 kW of power.
• Power stored in batteries for use in remote areas, islands, and construction sites.
• Setup completed within 24 hours, eliminating need for wind turbine foundations.
• Ireland aims to reduce fossil fuel dependency and expand renewable energy.
• Offshore wind energy targets: 20 GW by 2040, 37 GW by 2050.
• Project led by Dutch startup Kitepower, with global first-of-its-kind test site.
• Wind energy sector in Ireland faces delays due to grid and planning issues.
• Kitepower’s system offers cost-effective, mobile alternative to traditional turbines.
Summary
Researchers in Ireland are testing a 60-square-meter kite capable of generating electricity through lift. Operated by Dutch startup Kitepower, the system functions like a yo-yo, reaching 400 meters before retracting to 190 meters, producing 30 kW of power stored in batteries. This innovative technology, tested at the world’s first airborne renewable energy site in Bangor Erris, offers a mobile, cost-effective alternative to traditional wind turbines. It can be deployed within 24 hours and is ideal for remote locations. Ireland, aiming to reduce fossil fuel reliance, has ambitious offshore wind energy goals of 20 GW by 2040 and 37 GW by 2050. However, the wind energy sector faces challenges due to planning delays and grid limitations. Kitepower’s project represents a potential breakthrough in renewable energy, addressing these challenges with a flexible and efficient solution.
