This week, the Airborne Wind Europe team embarked on a highly productive and insightful series of engagements in Brussels, advancing the conversation around renewable energy innovation and the unique contributions of Airborne Wind Energy to Europe’s clean energy transition. The team participated in discussions, meetings, and events that brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders, creating opportunities to highlight achievements, identify challenges, and chart a course for the future.
Hearing at the European Parliament
Gosia Matowska kicked off the week by attending a hearing at the European Parliament, hosted by MEP Lina Gálvez Muñoz in collaboration with Zabala Innovation Europe. The session underscored the critical role of research and innovation in enhancing Europe’s competitiveness, sustainability, and societal progress. Key themes included bridging the gap between policy and society, fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and policymakers, and outlining priorities for the future Framework Program (FP10) to support transformative clean energy projects. The hearing reinforced the importance of placing innovation at the heart of Europe’s prosperity.
Meeting with European Commission
Then, the AWEU team, along with Mark Hoppe from SkySails, engaged in a meeting organized by DG RTD, which included participation from other DGs and the JRC. This meeting provided an opportunity to present the latest developments in the airborne wind energy sector and discuss sectoral challenges. Key topics included AWE-specific regulation and permitting which should be tested in regulatory sandboxes to facilitate innovation, and mechanisms to enhance market access and financing opportunities. These constructive discussions emphasized the importance of aligning AWE technologies with broader EU frameworks like the Clean Industrial Deal. The team also met briefly with the Polish Presidency to discuss Airborne Wind Energy and their priorities, with a commitment to build upon these discussions in the future.
Catch-up with ARE and WindEurope
Thereafter, we met with the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) to explore opportunities for collaboration on international partnerships. Discussions highlighted the need for investment in development outside of the EU, with a focus on energy. The team emphasized advocating for both large and small-scale infrastructure projects and discussed opportunities to integrate AWE into events.
Following that, the team participated in a Wind Europe meeting and presented updates on the sector’s progress. Discussions covered the challenges of permitting and achieving better financing conditions, as well as the opportunities to complement established wind power and open new markets. The collaboration will be intensified concerning airspace use and integration, social acceptance, and more opportunities to increase AWE’s visibility at WindEurope’s Annual events, e.g. through the AWE Roundtable in Copenhagen or new topical sessions on innovation for future editions.
Clean Energy for EU Islands Conference
To finish week’s fruitful activities, we participated in the Clean Energy for EU Islands Conference. This event focused on the role of electricity grids in supporting the energy transitions of Europe’s islands. Discussions addressed strategic planning and legislative frameworks, regulatory and financing solutions, and the challenges of integrating renewable energy into isolated grids. The AWEU team highlighted to various participants how AWE could contribute to decarbonizing island grids, complementing traditional renewable sources while addressing logistical challenges.
The week’s engagements underscored the growing recognition of AWE as a transformative solution in Europe’s renewable energy landscape. Through these interactions, we elevated awareness of their sector’s potential, fostered collaborations with policymakers, and identified actionable steps to overcome barriers. As Europe continues its journey toward ambitious climate and energy goals, Airborne Wind Europe remains committed to driving innovation and collaboration to ensure airborne wind energy plays a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future. The momentum from this week will propel further actions and advocacy in the months ahead!