Today, Airborne Wind Europe together with Stephan Wrage and Mark Hoppe from SkySails discussed with Parliamentarians from Deutscher Bundestag how to accelerate the uptake of Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) projects in Germany and Europe. Adding this new technology to the portfolio of renewable energy solutions will help to achieve our climate goals as it efficiently harnesses wind energy at high altitudes and complements existing renewable energy sources.
The AWE sector has welcomed the recent introduction of Airborne Wind Energy (“Flugwindenergie” in German) into the German EEG (Renewable Energy Sources Act). This milestone underscores the political support for this innovative technology and will also help to raise the AWE profile in other countries.
Mark Hoppe pointed out that to ensure a successful market ramp-up, it is now necessary to adapt the regulations on aviation safety, airspace integration and permitting procedures. In the “overriding public interest” of producing renewable electricity, AWE systems should be given preferred or at least equal access to the airspace and – at least in the beginning – regarded as obstacles which other airspace users should avoid. As explained out by Stephan Wrage, with simplified permitting procedure a fast uptake is possible, not only in Germany but also world-wide. Further financial support for development and concrete projects will also be necessary, for instance a KfW-backed financing scheme as presented by Timo Bovi at the breakfast meeting.
We want to thank all the participants for their interest in our innovative technology and especially Gyde Jensen and her team for hosting this event with us and supporting our industry along the way!
We are looking forward to growing airborne wind energy in Germany and Europe!