Airborne wind energy device soaring above the Middle Eastern desert.

Unlock the Middle East's Untapped Energy: How High-Altitude Wind Could Power the Future

Jordan Keane in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Is airborne wind energy the solution to the Middle East's energy needs? A new study explores the potential of high-altitude winds in the region."

The Middle East faces a significant challenge: meeting growing energy demands while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Near-surface wind resources, while promising, often prove inconsistent. However, a groundbreaking study reveals a potential game-changer: the abundant and persistent wind resources found at high altitudes.

This research, leveraging data from the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications Version 2 (MERRA-2), identifies areas within the Middle East ideally suited for airborne wind energy (AWE) systems. It also determines the optimal operating heights for these systems, paving the way for a more efficient and reliable energy source.

By comparing the potential of AWE with traditional near-surface wind generation, the study highlights the significant advantages of tapping into these high-altitude winds. The findings suggest that AWE could play a crucial role in diversifying the energy mix, particularly in regions with high energy demands and low annual wind variability.

The Promise of Airborne Wind Energy: A Solution Blowing in the Wind?

Airborne wind energy device soaring above the Middle Eastern desert.

The study highlights the immense potential of AWE in the Middle East. Unlike near-surface winds, which are often intermittent and unreliable, high-altitude winds offer a consistent and powerful energy source. This is particularly crucial for a region heavily dependent on fossil fuels, offering a pathway towards a more sustainable energy future.

Researchers used MERRA-2 data to map wind speeds across the Middle East at different altitudes. The analysis identified key areas with high wind energy potential and pinpointed the optimal heights for AWE systems to operate most efficiently. Here's what they discovered:

Optimal Locations: Eastern Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar show significant potential during winter. In summer, coastal areas of Yemen and Oman emerge as prime locations.
Altitude Matters: The study determined the ideal altitudes for AWE systems to maximize energy capture, considering factors like wind speed and variability.
Reduced Variability: High-altitude winds demonstrate less diurnal and seasonal variability compared to near-surface winds, ensuring a more consistent energy supply.

The research team estimated the capacity factor (CF) for a reference 3 MW AWE system, revealing promising results. Several regions, including Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, exhibit CF values exceeding 0.5, indicating high efficiency in energy generation. Oman and Saudi Arabia stand out with their potential for high average annual generation and low annual variability, making them ideal candidates for large-scale AWE deployment.

A Future Powered by the Skies: Embracing Airborne Wind Energy

This study provides compelling evidence for the viability of AWE as a significant energy source in the Middle East. By tapping into the region's abundant high-altitude wind resources, countries can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, diversify their energy mix, and pave the way for a more sustainable future.

While further on-site studies and measurement campaigns are necessary to refine these findings and optimize AWE deployment, the research offers a clear roadmap for policymakers and investors looking to capitalize on this untapped energy potential.

Airborne wind energy presents a unique opportunity for the Middle East to champion technological innovation and transition towards a knowledge-based, energy-intensive economy. By embracing this next-generation technology, the region can secure a cleaner, more reliable, and sustainable energy future for generations to come.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1038/s41598-017-10130-6, Alternate LINK

Title: High-Altitude Wind Resources In The Middle East

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: Scientific Reports

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Chak Man Andrew Yip, Udaya Bhaskar Gunturu, Georgiy L. Stenchikov

Published: 2017-08-29

Everything You Need To Know

What are the key benefits of using Airborne Wind Energy compared to traditional near-surface wind power?

Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) offers a consistent and powerful energy source by tapping into high-altitude winds, which are less intermittent and unreliable compared to near-surface winds. This is crucial for regions heavily dependent on fossil fuels, as AWE provides a pathway towards a more sustainable energy future. Traditional wind turbines rely on near-surface winds, which can be inconsistent, whereas AWE systems operate at higher altitudes where winds are stronger and more persistent, ensuring a more stable energy supply. The use of AWE has implications on reducing carbon emissions and diversifying energy sources.

Which specific locations in the Middle East show the most promise for Airborne Wind Energy, and what are the ideal operating altitudes?

The study pinpointed Eastern Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar as optimal locations during winter, while coastal areas of Yemen and Oman emerge as prime locations in summer. Optimal operating heights for Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) systems were determined to maximize energy capture, considering factors such as wind speed and variability. High-altitude winds demonstrate less diurnal and seasonal variability compared to near-surface winds, ensuring a more consistent energy supply. These findings are based on data from the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications Version 2 (MERRA-2). This detailed mapping helps in strategic deployment of AWE technologies for maximum efficiency.

How is the efficiency of Airborne Wind Energy systems measured, and which countries in the Middle East have the highest potential for energy generation?

The capacity factor (CF) is used to measure the efficiency in energy generation. The study revealed that several regions, including Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, exhibit CF values exceeding 0.5 for a reference 3 MW Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) system, indicating high efficiency. Oman and Saudi Arabia stand out with their potential for high average annual generation and low annual variability, making them ideal candidates for large-scale AWE deployment. Capacity Factor is critical as it directly impacts the economic viability and attractiveness of AWE projects.

What data was used to identify locations with high Airborne Wind Energy potential, and why was this data important?

The study used data from the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications Version 2 (MERRA-2). This data helped researchers map wind speeds across the Middle East at different altitudes, which was essential for identifying key areas with high Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) potential and pinpointing the optimal heights for AWE systems to operate most efficiently. Data inputs are crucial to the validity and reliability of any research, providing the empirical basis for conclusions.

What impact could Airborne Wind Energy have on the Middle East's reliance on fossil fuels and its overall energy future?

By embracing Airborne Wind Energy (AWE), countries in the Middle East can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and diversify their energy mix. High-altitude winds offer a consistent and powerful energy source, reducing reliance on intermittent near-surface wind power. For example, Oman and Saudi Arabia show great potential for high average annual generation. This would lead to a more sustainable energy future and potential economic benefits through reduced fuel costs and new technology industries. It enables a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.