As 2025 unfolds, Airborne Wind Europe aims to keep the remarkable momentum that 2024 generated for Airborne Wind Energy industry in terms of commercialization pathway, standardization, awareness raising and social acceptance.
AWEU is deeply involved in global stage, working closely with our members, project partners, European institutions and key stakeholders to develop strategies that support the funding and deployment of AWE technologies. Our mission is to deliver scalable and sustainable energy solutions that drive the energy transition and reduce reliance on traditional energy sources.
Brussels outreach
As the European association of the AWE sector, AWEU will even maximise its outreach efforts this year thanks to the addition, early in January, of Gosia Matowska, from Poland and based in Brussels. She will support AWEU in project work and ensure that the latest developments in the sector are effectively communicated to policymakers.
Coincidentally. Poland has just taken over of the presidency of the Council of the EU during the first semester of 2025 and its agenda will be focused on energy independence and security, aligning with AWE's mission to boost innovative renewable energy solutions. This period is expected to shape EU priorities on innovation, industrial transformation, and industrial competitiveness.
The Presidency will host key events such as the EU Innovation Journey and EU Industry Days, providing opportunities which AWEU aims to grasp to promote its industrial scalability and role in Europe's Net Zero Industry Strategy. Denmark will take over the EU Presidency in the latter half of the year, potentially enhancing also opportunities on renewable energy policies.
AWEU has also already started to reach out to the new European Commission as well as to Members of the European Parliament, raising awareness and triggering concrete actions on AWE-specific policies and regulation. Moreover, AWEU will increasingly engage with national and regional authorities to facilitate the deployment of AWE systems.
Supporting our members towards commercialization
Globally, AWEU will continue supporting our members in expanding the reach and the research of AWE technologies, as demonstrated by recent SkySails' venture into Taiwan, marking a significant milestone in the global adoption of AWE. Also, projects like EnerKíte's EKEleVate, which will start operating at the Energy Transition Laboratory in Ketzin, Germany, or the continuous Kitepower test flights in Bangor Erris, Ireland, showcasing AWE's role in the energy transition.
Concerning funding opportunities, Kitemill is set to capitalize on its 2024 achievements, leveraging the investments secured from the EU Innovation Fund to accelerate its projects. Kitekraft will continue being focused on optimizing their AI-driven trajectory improvements and extending their operational capacity. WindFisher enters 2025 with strong financial backing after raising 2 million by the end of last year. This injection of capital will fuel the next phase of growth, focusing on product development and market expansion. Windswept will keep its engagement with the AWEU community, bringing its unique system to the forefront of discussions and developments in the sector.
Key events
AWEU will also actively participate in key industry events to promote the benefits and advancements of AWE. At WindEurope Copenhagen 2025, AWEU will host again an AWE roundtable focusing on latest achievements, regulation and the outlook for the next years.
Additionally, AWEU will be attending the Mini Symposium on Airborne Wind Energy at WESC 2025 in Nantes, which will cover the latest research and development in the field. This symposium follows the success of the 32 presentations at WESC 2023 in Glasgow. On the other hand, this year we will know the announcement of the host for AWEC 2026, sector´s flagship event, following the successful AWEC 2024 in Madrid.
Our projects
Furthermore, training and innovation initiatives will continue to gain presence. The AWETRAIN project, funded by Horizon Europe, will hire 12 doctoral candidates in Q2 2025, enhancing deeply research in AWE technology. Our involvement in the DEM-AWE project highlights our commitment to advancing the K-BESS solution delivered by Kitepower, expanding AWE deployment opportunities, and fostering community collaboration, particularly in the North-West Europe region. The MERIDIONAL project will keep optimising the performance, operation, and design of onshore, offshore, and AWE systems. From its side, JustWind4All will continue supporting the acceleration of on- and offshore wind energy and AWE through just and effective governance.
Global collaboration has also expanded under the IEA Wind Task 48, with new participation from China, and hopes for additional member countries, reinforcing global collaboration in AWE development.
As we move through 2025, Airborne Wind Europe is ready to continue driving AWE solutions towards a greener future, supporting our members, and contributing to the broader energy transition. We look forward to engaging with key stakeholders at significant events and advancing the potential of AWE across Europe and beyond.
