In a world urgently reliant on renewable, scalable, and independent energy sources, we provide an answer to the challenges of existing technologies.

We bring wind energy to new heights: Our award-winning Kitepower kites harness consistent, strong winds at altitudes over 100 meters and convert the pulling force via a tether into electricity at a ground station. This offers a new, flexible form of power generation – efficient, mobile, and sustainable. After 15 years of research and development, our technology has enabled the world’s first commercial applications of Airborne Wind Energy (AWE).

  

Our systems...

• provide reliable yields
• are cost-effective (up to 50% reduction in energy costs)
• are faster to deploy
• require 80% less material than conventional wind turbines (up to 50% reduction in CO₂ footprint)
• are ideally suited for hard-to-reach or temporary locations such as construction sites or overloaded grids
• have been approved by EASA for operation as drones across Europe
• are patent protected (5 patents filed, 2 active)

We specifically address construction sites in rural regions in the Netherlands and other EU countries. With our Energy-as-a-Service model, we offer flexible rental solutions for customers who want to operate electric machinery emission-free – completely without investment risk. Currently, there is no cost-effective way to bring energy to construction sites, making electrification five times more expensive than the electricity price. Target costs are 10 ct/kWh (Falcon product variant), which ensures economic viability with a guaranteed feed-in tariff of 12 ct/kWh in Germany.

On this basis, we are opening up long-term Kitepower park projects, initially in Germany, with an identified potential of 80 GW of sites unusable by conventional wind power – more than the current total installed capacity in Germany.

We have already successfully collaborated with the Dutch Ministry of Defense, RWE Renewables, and other partners (11 projects, €3.1 million). With two signed contracts, our capacities for 2025 are fully booked, and we have a full pipeline for 2026 and beyond.

 

 

Kitepower has 24 employees (18 full-time positions). A dedicated management team sets the strategic goals, business plan, budget, and priorities with the support of senior advisors. Work is carried out using an agile methodology based on the concept of Objectives and Key Results (OKR), with quarterly goals divided into two development cycles. Each cycle includes three two-week sprints conducted by multiple teams, each led by its own manager. The currently active teams are Software, Hardware, Operations, and Sales. Research (scaling to 500 kW), intellectual property, finance, legal, and permitting are led by individual experts. An extensive network of partners for manufacturing and assembly, as well as a pool of kite operators, enables scaling to over 60 people during peak loads.

The Kitepower system consists of a large kite (60 m²) with a kite control unit that is connected to a ground station. The kite automatically follows a predefined flight path at high altitudes (up to 350 m – about twice as high as wind turbines), where winds are more stable and stronger. The tether transfers the pull force of the kite to a ground winch, which drives a generator to produce electricity, enabling a reliable and efficient power supply. During flight, 80% of the cycle is used for unwinding and energy generation, while 20% is used for rewinding the kite. One cycle lasts 100 seconds. The kite is semi-automatically launched from a start trailer on site.

Kitepower offers two system variants: Hawk for mobile use on construction sites and remote areas with electricity costs around 30 ct/kWh, and later the Falcon for stationary energy parks targeting costs of 10 ct/kWh. Hawk is quickly deployable and autonomous, Falcon is scalable and particularly efficient for continuous operation.

Our Hawk system is suitable for temporary use in off-grid and grid-congested locations. At such sites, electrification costs can currently reach 1–2 euros/kWh due to the cost of energy transport to the site. Our goal is to reduce the Hawk costs to 30 ct/kWh, thereby increasing the profit margin in the market niche covering the entire off-grid sector to over 50%. Our Falcon system is a larger kite and will offer a cost reduction to 10 ct/kWh, suitable for grid-connected projects with feed-in tariffs.

Each Kitepower system can be transported with just one truck, as it fits into a single 20-foot shipping container, and is easily unloaded on site. This makes installation easier to approve, faster, and far more cost-effective than turbines or solar installations.

  

Our technology harnesses wind energy through kites that fly at high altitudes (up to 350 meters). This provides four major advantages over conventional renewable energy sources:

1. Less mass and lower cost: 80–90% less material usage, a lightweight kite, and a compact ground station instead of towers and foundations. This results in a 50% reduction in energy costs and CO₂ footprint.
2. Lower land use and reduced visual impact: An equivalent solar PV installation requires 50 times more land. There is no tower to disrupt the horizon. The kite moves gracefully through the sky, and when there is no wind, it is stored out of sight.
3. Simple logistics: The kite is mobile and flexible, easy to transport and install – ideal for off-grid, temporary, or remote applications.
4. High capacity factor and low intermittency: Stronger and more consistent winds at higher altitudes lead to greater energy yields.

Kitepower technology is the first commercially viable product available on the market for temporary installations. The development of fixed-wing AWE systems in the multi-megawatt range has proven too capital-intensive for most startups. That’s why Kitepower uses soft kites for its initial commercial systems. These first soft-kite systems are now in the demonstration phase with early customers (SkySails at TRL7, Kitepower at TRL6) – representing the most advanced solutions entering the market in this sector. Among AWE competitors, Kitepower offers the simplest, most compact, and cost-effective technology for rapid market entry – available now!

Our goal is to become the world’s leading airborne wind energy company, offering commercially competitive kite systems for construction sites, onshore wind farms, and eventually also offshore wind farms.

We are initially targeting construction sites with limited grid access, which are unable to meet emission standards deadlines. Photovoltaics and wind turbines are not suitable for these temporary locations, as their installation requires extensive construction work.

 

At the same time, the pressure to electrify is increasing: construction companies want to operate their fleets more sustainably but face high energy costs of €1–2/kWh when batteries are charged externally and transported to the site. In many regions, electrification is also becoming a decisive criterion for public tenders – a strong incentive for the industry to act. This is where Kitepower comes in: Our Kitepower system delivers clean energy directly on-site – mobile, space-efficient, and at target costs of just €0.10/kWh, which ensures economic viability in Germany given the guaranteed feed-in tariff of €0.12/kWh. This makes it an attractive solution not only for construction sites but also for utility applications.

Starting in 2028, only zero-emission generators <560 kW will be allowed on construction sites in the Netherlands – and in the UK, high diesel taxes are also making the switch more appealing.

The total addressable market in the Netherlands alone amounts to €2.58 billion, of which €206 million is directly accessible. Kitepower is focusing on a realistic market potential of over €70 million in the Netherlands and the UK. The Kitepower system offers a cost-effective alternative to diesel, wind, and PV – ideal for construction and utility applications.

• Our kites "Hawk" and "Falcon" are the most flexible renewable energy solutions with low material usage and easy installation. Compared to conventional wind turbines ("HAWT") and solar panels, Kitepower offers key advantages: significantly lower mass, minimal land footprint, hardly any construction work, fast installation time, and minimal social disruption. With 80–90% material savings, investment costs are only half as high – while the CO₂ footprint is 40% lower.
• Our systems generate on-site energy with a higher capacity factor and fewer interruptions. Unlike photovoltaics, we can produce electricity 24 hours a day. We fly at high altitudes and generate power even at lower wind speeds than conventional turbines.
• Our systems are much faster to install and significantly more cost-efficient to transport and set up. All equipment fits in a 20-foot container, and installation is completed within one day.
• Our systems are also suitable for locations where conventional turbines are rejected due to public opposition or environmental permitting. Since Kitepower requires no towers or complex foundations, the impact on the environment and the visual landscape is much lower.

We are more advanced than our competitors in the field of airborne wind energy, as we have tested our kite system in multiple locations and under various geographic conditions.

• Our semi-rigid kite system is simpler, more cost-effective, and more compact than alternatives. It fits on a smaller footprint and offers 35 times more suitable operating locations in Germany alone compared to other currently available soft-kite systems (Source: Bluewise Marine, 2024).
• We are closer to the market than any of our competitors. We have established a foothold in the entry market of infrastructure construction, which aligns well with our current product. We have signed a commercial agreement with a major energy provider for expansion up to grid connection. We have conducted extensive R&D and product testing and are ready for customer deployment.
• We hold EASA approval for drone operation across Europe, which enables us to begin customer projects this year. We have already signed several commercial contracts and have a strong customer pipeline.

Development focus & sustainable advantage: Our systems are being developed for more autonomy, reliability, and user-friendliness (Hawk), then for larger scale (Falcon), and for cost-efficiency (Falcon-U, Eagle), while maintaining simplicity in system design and operation. We hold operational freedom and IP protection for our superior soft kite concept with inflatable struts and our automated, compact launch and landing method.

Our current business model is based on the Energy as a Service approach using the Hawk system, which provides temporary clean energy for construction sites. In 2027, we plan to enter direct sales with the Falcon system for utilities and infrastructure projects. As an additional revenue stream, we also plan to license services (operation, maintenance, training, licensing) starting in 2028.

Hawk – Energy for Rent

Temporary, small-scale on-site energy at a fixed price through a rental contract. We expect revenue of €120,000 per system per year with annual costs of €70,000 in 2027, once our rental fleet reaches 20 units.

We believe the rental business model is viable, as we have already signed 6 commercial agreements and are working on 14 additional projects. For 2025, we expect revenue of over €800,000.

Falcon – Direct Sales for Utility Projects

Utility-scale projects with target costs of €0.10/kWh and a guaranteed feed-in tariff of €0.12/kWh. The Falcon system will be built for sale to energy utility projects in Germany starting in 2028.

Sales of Falcon systems to equipment rental providers in Northwestern Europe will take place in close collaboration with Greener Power Solutions, an early Kitepower adopter, as well as Bredenoord and Volta Energy.

Scaling through Pilot Parks & Funding Programs

The first pilot parks can be installed in Germany in 2028 with the help of grants and subsidies (covering 50% of costs) and financial support from early movers. For example, RWE built our joint test facility in Ireland. We have signed a commercial agreement with RWE and identified the opportunity to install 50 units across seven potential locations.

• First-ever nighttime operation of an airborne wind energy system on the Afsluitdijk in the Netherlands for the Dutch government (2017).
• Achieved ISO9001 certification (2021).
• Completed 11 demonstration projects at 6 locations across 2 continents – from the Netherlands to Germany, Ireland, and Aruba – three of which demonstrated commercial co-usage with farmers.
• Signed 6 commercial agreements for demonstration projects, with more contracts in the pipeline.
• Raised €6.8 million in grants and equity funding.
• Achieved EASA certification, granting a drone license for remote operation throughout Europe (2023), which enabled cross-border operations in Ireland in 2023.
• Strong partner network including TU Delft, NATO, and RWE Renewables.
• Current technology has reached TRL 6 and is undergoing iterative test campaigns.

Our first complete customer project with a construction customer in the Netherlands has already started in Q2 and will run until the end of July. The next project is then planned for the end of the third quarter.

 

Goals for 2025

• Completion of testing and beta testing with three paying customers in the Netherlands and Germany.
• Validation of the Hawk system's business model.
• Risk reduction in the technical development of the next Kitepower systems.

 

Goals for 2026

• Deployment of the Hawk on construction sites in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
• Improvement of the Hawk’s energy output.
• Preparation of the first grid-connected kite farm.
• Development of Falcon products.

 

Goals for 2027

• Falcon product development.
• Falcon delivery in Q3.

• Unique selling proposition that opens up new markets for renewable energy and provides access to previously untapped energy sources: Kitepower uniquely delivers sustainable energy that is more flexible, cost-effective, less intermittent, and with lower impact on remote or grid-connected locations and networks.
• Lasting competitive advantage through a strong patent portfolio, the most compact, simple and cost-efficient system, as well as extensive operational experience in a wide variety of international locations and environments.
• Strong market readiness with a market entry that has proven the problem-solution fit, signed commercial contracts and a pipeline under construction, and committed partners for scaling towards diesel fuel savings and utility markets.
• Lean and highly committed team with proven expertise in R&D, flight operations, certification, and business development.
• Technology largely de-risked with a stepwise roadmap and market introduction product at TRL 6–7.

  

How is the system transported and installed on-site?
It's very simple! The complete Kitepower system fits into a single 20-foot shipping container (approx. 6.1 meters), which can be easily transported with just one truck.

Who operates the system?
Kitepower pilots operate the system remotely; take-off and landing are carried out on-site.

Is the system safe?
Kitepower has considered risks and safety aspects throughout the entire product development and developed a combination of redundancy and safety measures. These include fail-safe control systems, redundant components (hardware and communication), safety protocols, real-time monitoring, weather monitoring, training and certification, regulatory compliance, HAZID and SORA assessments, and emergency plans. Kitepower was the first company to receive a pan-European aviation safety certification and approval for its operations based on these measures, including night flights and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.

Does the system affect birds or nature?
The impact on flora and fauna is assessed through ecological studies. We have conducted many flight hours at more than 10 different locations in the Netherlands and abroad, and no negative effects on birds have been observed.

What is Airborne Wind Energy?
Airborne Wind Energy is an innovative renewable energy technology that uses flying devices such as kites and drones to harness wind at higher altitudes. These systems are designed to generate electricity efficiently while requiring less material and infrastructure than conventional wind turbines. The technology is suitable for remote or off-grid locations where traditional energy solutions are too complex.

How large is the kite and at what altitude does it fly?
The kite has a surface area of 60m² and flies at an altitude of about 250 meters.

What permits are required to operate a Kitepower system?
The Kitepower system and its operation have been safety approved by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) under the EU drone regulation in the “specific operation” category. This aviation approval is valid across the EU and many other countries. For each individual site, national authorities assess whether the local conditions match the approved site conditions. If they do, a permit must be issued, usually within three weeks of application. In addition, permits may be required for construction activities, public consultations, and environmental impact assessments. We have already successfully completed this process for 10 sites.

How much ground area is required to install a Kitepower system?
The Kitepower system requires a ground area with a radius of 350 meters around the ground station, with controlled access. The actual operating area needed for take-off and landing is about 50 meters (full or half radius). The height of obstacles within the Kitepower system’s operating area is limited to 1 m per 10 m distance from the ground station.

Can the system be used in all weather conditions? 
The system can operate in 5–15 m/s winds, in rain, hail, or snow. Thunderstorms are the only weather condition that would require the system to land. It can be operated in temperatures between -10 and +40 degrees Celsius.

What happens when there is no wind? 
Kitepower has a low-wind flight mode that allows the kite to stay airborne for a limited time even with low wind. No energy is generated during this phase. This principle, called Step-Towing, is derived from paragliding techniques.

Can the system operate at night? 
Yes, Kitepower systems can operate at night. The kite is equipped with lights as required by aviation regulations.

Can the system generate all the required energy?
The developed Kitepower system, which will be available in the near future, will have a capacity of 100 kW. Each construction site has different energy needs, and energy solutions are selected accordingly. A Kitepower system is considered a supplementary energy source alongside alternatives such as battery swapping and diesel generators.

Can the system be used in urban areas?
The Kitepower system has a radius of 350 meters around the ground station, which means it cannot be used in cities with many buildings.

• Management risk: mitigated through agile design processes, an experienced development team, and strong partnerships;
• Technical risks: mitigated by a rapid prototyping approach, extensive flight experience, ongoing testing opportunities, and a developed supply chain;
• Regulatory and approval risks: site availability and operational and regulatory suitability for kite operation are crucial. This risk is mitigated by experience with environmental and aviation permits in the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland, as well as the current EASA flight safety approval valid for our operations throughout Europe, including Germany. In collaboration with our user partners, including RWE Renewables, we will pay close attention to national and regional legislation affecting our deployment on construction sites and grid connection. We will also closely monitor the implementation details of the German feed-in tariff (Solar Package 2) for airborne wind energy;
• Market risk: We limit market risk by strictly following Steve Blank’s customer development model, which includes customer discovery, problem-solution fit, and product-market fit before scaling the company and production. We work closely with several early evangelist and early adopter users in the construction sector (NL, DE), mobile energy services (NL, DE), and on-shore (mini-)grids (DE, SA, ZA). Activities also include customer engagement in construction companies.
• Financial risk: Development financing has so far been mainly through Dutch investments and grants. Financial risks for the German entity are mitigated by the liquidity of the holding company Enevate B.V., financial support from partners, as well as in-kind contributions from user partners and research institutions (University of Freiburg), and business development activities conducted during the project. These activities aim to identify and open new financing channels for our operations, including grants, customer contributions (revenues), subsidies (Innovation Fund, feed-in tariff), and investments from our VC shortlist. Demonstrating our MVP during the project will further promote investor readiness.

Kitepower was founded in 2016 by Johannes Peschel and Roland Schmehl, following ten years of pioneering work by the Kitepower research group at TU Delft, which was established by former Dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels. Research in the field of kite energy generation was initiated by Wubbo Ockels in 1993. In 2007, the first 20 kW Kitepower system demonstrated proof of concept.

Kitepower is committed to providing clean, affordable, and sustainable energy worldwide for everyone by developing and selling kite-powered solutions. With its prototype systems, Kitepower has gained extensive flight operation experience and generated revenue through demonstrations in the Netherlands, Aruba, Ireland, and Spain.

Currently, the Falcon is under development—a commercially viable solution for onshore wind farms expected to enter the market by 2027. However, recognizing the need for a quick market entry, we are now introducing a Minimal Viable Product, the Hawk, for our first customers in the infrastructure construction market. Our kites will achieve fuel savings while reducing battery transport logistics and/or the need for oversized lithium-ion battery energy storage systems.

After successful market introduction, the technology will expand by 2028 to small wind farms where environmental and horizon impact must be limited. This will initially be enabled by the new German feed-in tariffs for airborne wind energy, with RWE Renewables among our early adopters. We aim to become the world’s leading company for airborne wind energy, offering commercially competitive kite systems for onshore and offshore wind farms.

The shareholders behind Kitepower are Enevate B.V., based in Delft. The subsidiary Kitepower B.V. was founded to safeguard the name “Kitepower”. However, the investments flow directly into Enevate B.V., as this is where all assets and the operational business are located.”