Beijing, 07 Jan. 2026 (People's Daily)

A major renewable energy breakthrough is unfolding in Inner Mongolia's Alxa Left Banner, where the world’s largest high-altitude wind energy kite—a 5,000-square-meter airborne system—has completed tests and achieved stable midair recovery. This advances China’s path toward engineering application of high-altitude wind power.

The technology captures wind above 300 meters using a canopy lifted by a helium balloon. Once aloft, it performs controlled maneuvers, pulling a tether that drives ground-based generators. According to project chief commander Cao Lun, the system has a 5-megawatt capacity. In a single 20-minute cycle climbing from 500 to 3,000 meters, it can generate about 500 kilowatt-hours—potentially yielding 10 million kilowatt-hours yearly, saving roughly 3,000 tons of coal.

Globally, high-altitude wind approaches split into airborne or ground-based generation. The Alxa model is ground-based, placing generators on the ground while airborne devices capture wind via tether. Though mechanically simple in concept, execution is demanding: the canopy, as large as a dozen basketball courts, must endure wind shear and severe weather, with tethers reeled at 50–60 km/h.

Why pursue high-altitude wind? “High-altitude winds provide higher energy density, stable direction, and vastly wider availability,” explains Huo Shaolei, a senior technical expert at China Power Engineering Consulting Group. “Theoretical reserves exceed global electricity use over 100-fold.” Compared to traditional wind farms, the technology can cut land and steel use by up to 90% and reduce generation costs by about 30%.

China now holds independent intellectual property for this ladder-kite ground-based model, securing a self-reliant supply chain. Next steps include testing multiple-kite systems and starting power generation trials by the end of next year, signaling strong commercial prospects as technology matures and costs decline.