Kite wind energy, or airborne wind energy (AWE), uses tethered flying wings or aircraft to reach winds in atmospheric layers that conventional turbines cannot access. The technology is still at the pilot and pre-sales stage. As far as published sources show, no utility-scale, grid-connected AWE farm was operating anywhere as of October 2026, and several high-profile projects have already closed.
If you want a ready-to-buy, grid-connected kite system for your home or business, you will find very few options. This guide explains how the systems work, which companies are still flying, and what the numbers say.
How it works
Airborne wind energy systems generally fall into three categories. The most common is ground-gen “pumping”, also known as the yo-yo method. Here, the kite pulls a tether off a drum connected to a generator on the ground, flying helical or figure-of-eight paths to generate traction. Once the tether is reeled out, the kite is pulled back in a recovery phase that uses less energy than was generated during the pull. On Kitepower’s Falcon, one cycle takes about 100 seconds: roughly 80 seconds reeling out and generating, and 20 seconds reeling in. One ground station can serve several airborne elements.
The second type is fly-gen. In this design, the generators are mounted on the flying device itself and driven by rotors. Electricity travels down a fixed-length tether to the ground. The device flies crosswind loops or figures of eight to increase the airflow through its rotors. A 2021 modelling study by Trevisi, McWilliam and Gaunaa found that fly-gen systems are slightly more profitable than ground-gen, provided the airborne unit does not need frequent replacement. This is a modelling result, not field data.
The third type is ground-gen rotary. Here, several aerofoils are kept aloft by a larger “lifter” kite and linked by tethers into a rotor that turns a ground-based generator.
The selling point developers give for all these designs is the same: winds at higher altitude are stronger and steadier, and no tall tower or large foundation is needed. These are developer claims. We found no independent figure for how much stronger the winds are at kite altitudes, so we do not quantify it.
Real-world examples
Makani (USA) — ceased
Makani was perhaps the most ambitious attempt to commercialise kite wind energy. Founded in 2006 and later part of Alphabet (Google’s parent company), it developed a fly-gen system. The M600 prototype, with an airframe about the size of a small passenger jet, sent up to 600 kW generated on board down its tether while flying crosswind loops.
With support from Shell, Makani flew the first utility-scale energy kite from a floating platform off Norway in 2019. After 13 years of development, Alphabet announced the wind-down in February 2020; Makani’s own explanation was that “the road to commercialization is longer and riskier than hoped”. Makani ceased operations completely in September 2020 after Shell also withdrew, and pledged free use of its 400+ patents and applications.
SkySails Power (Germany) — pilot / pre-commercial
SkySails Power is one of the most active developers today. Its Mauritius pilot, announced as in operation in January 2023, uses a 120 m² soft kite flying at 200-400 metres over sugar-cane fields. The grid operator CEB confirmed grid compliance and granted a permit for the system to feed the island grid. The project received EUR 850,000 from the French FFEM out of EUR 1.7m in total, and FFEM lists it as completed.
The company is now pushing larger products. Kyo, presented on 31 July 2025, is a 450 kW system with a kite of up to 450 m². SkySails says it can deliver up to 1,780 MWh a year at a 9 m/s average wind speed, enough for about 600 households; actual output depends on the site. Sales have started, with first deliveries expected in the second half of 2028. On 1 July 2025 SkySails also made its first flight in Taiwan with partner AiSails Power.
Kitepower (Netherlands) — testing
Kitepower, a TU Delft spin-off, is testing its Falcon system in Ireland. The Falcon is a ground-gen system of up to 100 kW with a 60 m² kite. RWE hosts the test site at Bangor Erris in County Mayo, where testing began in 2023. By the first anniversary of the partnership in 2024, they had completed over 90 flights and 100 hours of tests.
Kitepower markets the Falcon as mobile, behind-the-meter power, with pilots listed on Dutch construction sites and Aruba. The company says it fits in a standard shipping container and can be assembled in under 24 hours. IEEE Spectrum reported in 2024 that Kitepower planned to market the Falcon in 2025 or 2026, but we found no confirmed commercial sales as of October 2026.
Kitemill (Norway) — testing, first project in permitting
Kitemill’s ground-gen kites fly helical paths; the company says they operate above 350 metres. Its KM2 platform is rated at 100 kW. Its NAWEP project in southern Norway aims to install at least 12 grid-connected devices with a combined capacity of 1.2 MW, according to the EU Innovation Fund summary (other sources give 15 units and 1.5 MW). The project won an EU Innovation Fund grant of EUR 3.35m, but its planned July 2024 start has slipped. Local officials approved an exemption permit, but the regional authority appealed over bird impacts, and a national concession was still needed. Financial close was targeted for late 2025 and construction for 2026; we found no confirmation of either as of October 2026.
EnerKite (Germany) — pre-order
EnerKite is developing a semi-rigid wing on three Kevlar tethers. It takes off and lands from a rotating mast, without propellers. The EK100 (100 kW) is open for pre-order. The company claims twice the annual yield of a conventional turbine of the same rating and about 90% less steel and concrete. These claims are unverified.
Other notable names
- KiteGen (Italy): developed by Massimo Ippolito, with prototype work and control research alongside Politecnico di Torino. We found no evidence of commercial operation or recent activity; the founder’s figures for high-altitude wind availability are self-reported.
- TwingTec (Switzerland): a drone-like aircraft takes off vertically on propellers, then switches them off and flies like a kite. Its current status could not be verified.
- Kite Power Systems (UK): raised £5m to build a 500 kW system in Scotland and aimed to sell commercially by 2021, but was wound up in 2020 and dissolved in 2023 (see below).
What the numbers say
The scale gap between AWE and conventional wind is stark. The largest AWE products on sale or in testing are 100-450 kW, and the 450 kW Kyo is not due to be delivered until the second half of 2028. A single offshore turbine, such as the Siemens Gamesa SG 14-236 DD, is rated at 14-15 MW, and conventional designs keep growing, as our piece on next-generation turbine technology explains.
Global wind capacity reached 1,299 GW at the end of 2025, with 165 GW added that year, according to GWEC; all of it is conventional turbines. AWE has not yet entered this market.
A European Commission study from 2017-2018 concluded that “the technology is still immature” and that “it remains unclear whether the technology can ultimately reach cost-competitiveness”. It also found “sufficient potential to continue exploring the technology” under a risk-controlled development approach.
Developers are largely targeting niches rather than trying to replace large wind farms. These include off-grid and island sites, construction sites, military use, typhoon and hurricane regions, and replacing diesel generators.
Limitations and honest assessment
Several hurdles remain. Permitting and environmental concerns are significant: Kitemill’s NAWEP project faced an appeal from the regional authority over bird impacts, a wider issue for renewables that we cover in our piece on birds. Airspace is another issue: Kitepower’s Irish site is a dedicated test site, and KPS flew on a Ministry of Defence range in Scotland.
Reliability data is also missing. We found no published long-run capacity factor or reliability data for AWE systems. For comparison, UK onshore wind turbines achieved a load factor of 24.1% in 2025 and offshore 36.4%.
Finally, the best-funded attempt failed. Makani’s closure, despite Alphabet and Shell’s backing, shows that reaching commercial viability has been slower and riskier than its developers hoped.
The UK angle
The UK’s own kite developer, Kite Power Systems (KPS), raised £5m in 2016 from E.ON, Schlumberger and Shell Technology Ventures to build a 500 kW system at West Freugh near Stranraer. It planned a 3 MW onshore system, then offshore, and aimed to sell a 500 kW system commercially by 2021. Instead, shareholders resolved to wind the company up in November 2020 (a solvent, members’ voluntary liquidation), and it was dissolved in November 2023. There is no evidence that the 500 kW or 3 MW systems were delivered, and we could not confirm whether its technology passed to another firm.
Meanwhile, the UK grid relies heavily on conventional wind turbines. In 2025, wind generated 86.4 TWh, about 29.4% of UK generation: onshore 11.7% and offshore 17.7%. Installed wind capacity was about 33.6 GW at the end of the second quarter of 2026. None of this comes from airborne systems; you can follow the live GB electricity mix to see wind’s share at any moment.
For home wind power, rules differ by nation: England has strict permitted-development limits (see the FAQ below), while in Scotland, Home Energy Scotland offers no grant for wind turbines but does offer an interest-free loan of up to £2,500. Check current scheme rules before committing.
Frequently asked questions
How does a kite wind turbine generate electricity?
A kite wind turbine uses a tethered wing to capture wind at altitude. In ground-gen systems, the kite pulls a tether off a drum connected to a ground-based generator. In fly-gen systems, rotors on the wing generate electricity that is sent down the tether.
What is the difference between ground-gen and fly-gen kite power?
Ground-gen (pumping) systems use the pull on the tether to drive a generator on the ground. Fly-gen systems carry the generators on the aircraft itself and send electricity down the tether. A 2021 modelling study suggests fly-gen can be slightly more profitable if the airborne unit does not need frequent replacement.
Can I buy a kite power system today?
Not really. Most systems are at the pilot or pre-commercial stage. SkySails Power has started sales of its Kyo model, with first deliveries expected in the second half of 2028. EnerKite is taking pre-orders for its EK100. Kitepower is testing its Falcon, with no confirmed commercial sales found. No utility-scale system is available for immediate grid connection.
Why did Google’s Makani energy kite project shut down?
In Makani’s own words, “the road to commercialization is longer and riskier than hoped”. After 13 years of development and backing from Alphabet and Shell, Makani announced its wind-down in February 2020 and ceased operations in September 2020, pledging free use of its 400+ patents.
Is airborne wind energy better than a normal wind turbine?
It depends on the use. Developers say AWE reaches stronger winds and needs far less steel and concrete than a conventional tower, but these are company claims. Conventional turbines are far larger (a single offshore turbine such as the SG 14-236 DD is rated at 14-15 MW) and commercially proven. AWE is currently aimed at niche, off-grid or mobile uses rather than replacing wind farms.
Is a 10 kW wind turbine worth it for a house in the UK?
For most homes, probably not. Typical domestic systems are about 2.5-6 kW, so a 10 kW or 15 kW turbine is far larger. In England, a stand-alone turbine is permitted development only up to 11.1 m in height, and a 10-15 kW turbine would almost certainly exceed the 3.8 m² swept-area limit, so it would need full planning permission; confirm with your local planning authority. You would also need an annual average wind speed of 5 m/s or more at your exact location, ideally confirmed by a year-long professional assessment. We could not verify current prices for these turbines on a primary source, so get quotes from an MCS-certified installer.