Kitemill and the EIC Accelerator: Wind Power From Tethered Drones

Kitemill, founded in Voss, Norway, in 2008, develops airborne wind energy: a tethered, drone-like wing that flies in loops at altitude, where winds are stronger and steadier, pulling a cable that turns a generator on the ground. It flies its KM1 system at a test centre at Lista in southern Norway. Its EIC Accelerator project, "Airborne Wind Energy: Innovative KM2 AWE System by Kitemill", receives an EU contribution of €2,499,000 and ran from October 2024 to 30 September 2026, according to CORDIS. KM2 is its larger, 100 kW system.

The project's first report, updated in January 2026, describes progress on the KM1, not the KM2: consistent performance and high automation in tests, autonomous landing tested within visual line of sight, and simulation tools used to design and validate KM2, according to CORDIS. Kitemill says it currently flies the KM1, according to Kitemill. No KM2 flight results have been published. Kitemill's 2025 accounts show operating income of NOK 7.4 million, a net loss of NOK 11.6 million and 15 employees, according to the Brønnøysund Register Centre.

Where Kitemill Stands Now

Kitemill's website lists a project with the utility Sør Energi at Lista for up to five systems, the second of which was installed in 2022, and NAWEP, for which it won €3.35 million from the EU Innovation Fund to build and operate its first 12 systems, according to Kitemill. It says a proof-of-concept system already produces energy automatically. In 2023 it raised equity through crowdfunding with the utility Voss Energi as lead investor, according to Renewable Energy Magazine. It ended 2025 with equity of NOK 42.7 million.

The KM2 award was not Kitemill's first EIC support. At the June 2019 cut-off of the EIC SME Instrument Phase 2, under the Horizon 2020 EIC pilot, it was selected for AWE, "Harvesting Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) using Rigid Kites", a grant-only project that ran from October 2019 to January 2023 with an EU contribution of €2.44 million towards a total cost of €3.49 million, according to CORDIS. It promised the world's first demonstration park of five 30 kW units at Lista. The final report lists more than 350 flights, permits for the Lista site with an array of two permitted systems, and five granted patents, but not the five-unit park.

The Technology: A Kite on a Cable

Airborne wind energy replaces a turbine tower with a flying wing on a tether that pulls a generator on the ground as it flies. The big challenge is flying safely and automatically for long periods, which is why autonomous landing and beyond-visual-line-of-sight flight were central to the EIC project.

What the EIC Award Promised, and What the Record Shows

The project aimed to commercialise the KM2. It ended on the day this article was written, and the public record shows automation progress on the KM1 and simulation work for the KM2. There is no published evidence that the KM2 has flown, been certified for beyond-line-of-sight operation or been sold.

1. Autonomous operationKM1 progressLanding tests.
2. KM2 designIn simulationProject report.
3. KM2 flightUnverifiedNo results published.
4. Commercial launchNot yetNo sales announced.

The Money

Kitemill is funded largely by grants and small equity rounds. Its 2025 operating income of NOK 7.4 million came with an operating loss of NOK 8.2 million. The award was blended finance; no EIC Fund investment has been announced.

What Cannot Be Checked

Why Europe Should Care

Airborne wind energy promises wind power without tall towers, from higher-altitude winds. Kitemill has been working on it for 18 years and has European funding from several programmes. The KM2 was meant to be the step from demonstration to product.

The Verdict

Kitemill and the EIC have not been asked for comment for this article. It is based entirely on public records and published statements, linked throughout.