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While others race to the Moon and back, an innovative project in the Faroe Islands is exploring space in a different way—without ever leaving Earth. SKF, one of the world’s leading bearing manufacturers, and Minesto, a developer of ocean energy solutions, have launched a bold initiative to harness the Moon’s energy using tidal power. This space program aims to make the most of the resources already available here on Earth.

“Imagine a future powered by the Moon’s tides. This unique project dares to think big, unlocking the potential of tidal renewable energy. At SKF, we are proud to be part of this realistic initiative, which aligns with our values and our ambition to create a more sustainable world,” says Annika Ölme, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Technology Development at SKF.

Over the past year, SKF and Minesto have been pioneering tidal energy using underwater kites in the Atlantic Ocean, near the Faroe Islands. Their mission is to transform the Moon’s gravitational pull into a predictable and renewable energy source. Following its successful deployment, the tidal kite, called LUNA, is now flying beneath the ocean’s surface, silently and invisibly capturing lunar energy—regardless of weather conditions. Currently, only a few countries with suitable tidal currents are beginning to tap into the full potential of this incredibly reliable renewable energy source.

“For us, as a technology development company, working with a global industrial leader like SKF is both a learning experience and an inspiration,” says Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto. “We estimate that there are at least 3,000 other ‘Faroe Islands’ around the world that could qualify for our space program. If all of them joined, lunar energy could replace all coal power currently under development worldwide.”

The newly established tidal energy facility, referred to as a lunar energy base, will serve as the foundation for the Faroe Islands Space Program, firmly anchored on Earth. The LUNA kite has a rated power of 1.2 MW—enough to power 200 villages for an entire year. The next goal is to implement a larger 200 MW tidal energy facility. This could provide 40% of the electricity expected to be needed by 2030, supplying green energy to the 50,000 residents and 70,000 sheep of this small and remote island nation. The project is being developed in partnership with the energy company Sev.

“Our vision is to achieve 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030, and we believe tidal energy can become a vital part of that journey,” says Hákun Djurhuus, CEO of Sev.

SKF has been tasked with designing bearing and sealing systems for the kites’ rudders and elevators. Their advanced software also calculates bearing lifespan and estimates CO2 emissions, enabling engineers to compare different solutions not just from a technical perspective, but also in terms of sustainability.

“Cross-sector collaboration is essential for progress. Together with Minesto, we are demonstrating how technology and innovation can drive the transition to renewable energy,” says Annika Ölme, Chief Technology Officer at SKF.

By framing this initiative as a space program that never leaves Earth, its partners aim to highlight the importance of harnessing lunar energy through tidal forces—at a time when many discussions around space exploration focus on extracting resources from other planets.

Quick Facts About Tidal and Ocean Energy:

• According to the International Energy Agency, 80% of global electricity still comes from fossil fuels.

• By 2050, ocean energy could play a significant role in the global energy mix.

• Ocean energy is local, renewable, and highly predictable, making it the perfect complement to more established renewables like wind and solar.

• Ocean Energy Europe estimates that tidal and wave energy could provide 10% of Europe’s electricity and create 400,000 skilled jobs by 2050.

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