Quick answer
McLean County, Logan County and Lee County have the most recorded wind capacity in Illinois, with 1,276.5 MW, 699.8 MW and 682.9 MW.[1]
Wind projects in Illinois came online between 2007 and 2025.[1]
| County | Projects | Turbines | Capacity (MW) | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLean County | 8 | 557 | 1,276.5 | 2007–2023 |
| Logan County | 5 | 244 | 699.8 | 2009–2025 |
| Lee County | 9 | 284 | 682.9 | 2007–2023 |
| Henry County | 5 | 263 | 533 | 2009–2023 |
| LaSalle County | 7 | 309 | 514.4 | 2007–2020 |
| Bureau County | 6 | 256 | 503.2 | 2008–2021 |
| Ford County | 3 | 186 | 375.6 | 2011–2022 |
| Mason County | 2 | 81 | 355.9 | 2021–2023 |
| Livingston County | 2 | 175 | 350 | 2010–2012 |
| Macon County | 2 | 140 | 305.8 | 2017 |
| Morgan County | 1 | 107 | 301.7 | 2021 |
| Piatt County | 1 | 50 | 300 | 2025 |
| Vermilion County | 2 | 153 | 266.5 | 2012–2015 |
| Iroquois County | 3 | 153 | 249 | 2011–2015 |
| De Witt County | 1 | 50 | 200.5 | 2023 |
| Douglas County | 1 | 48 | 199.8 | 2020 |
| Grundy County | 2 | 133 | 198 | 2010–2020 |
| DeKalb County | 1 | 126 | 189 | 2009 |
| Marshall County | 2 | 93 | 183.1 | 2007–2021 |
| Kankakee County | 2 | 87 | 155.7 | 2015–2016 |
| Woodford County | 3 | 142 | 150 | 2012 |
| McDonough County | 1 | 46 | 115 | 2020 |
| Stephenson County | 1 | 67 | 100.5 | 2009 |
| Stark County | 1 | 40 | 60 | 2007 |
| Tazewell County | 1 | 38 | 57 | 2009 |
| Pike County | 1 | 16 | 54.4 | 2025 |
| Champaign County | 2 | 31 | 48.6 | 2012–2017 |
| Warren County | 1 | 14 | 35 | 2020 |
| Whiteside County | 1 | 4 | 10.5 | 2019 |
| Brown County | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | 2011 |
Source: U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USGS, ACP, LBNL), version 9.1, released September 28, 2026. Data compiled November 3, 2026.
In royalty arrangements, the developer pays the landowner a percentage of the revenue received from the electricity produced by the turbines.[2] In a flat or fixed-fee arrangement, the developer pays a fixed fee per turbine, per unit of land or per megawatt of installed capacity on a monthly or yearly basis.[2] Wind power leases generally have terms of 20 to 40 years, often with an option to extend, while a typical utility-scale wind power project has a useful life of 20 years.[2]
The five states with the most electricity generation from wind in 2025 were Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas and Illinois.[3]
What Buckhead buys depends on the deal, and Buckhead tells the seller up front which interest it is offering to buy — for example, the payments for the rest of the current lease term, a term easement, or a longer-term interest. A wind lease rents land for a term of years, and wind power leases generally have terms of 20 to 40 years, often with an option for extending the lease.[2] Under a wind lease, the landowner typically keeps the right to continue to grow crops, raise cattle or otherwise use the land outside the project.[2]
Educational information only — not legal, tax, or investment advice. The figures are public reference data, not a valuation or appraisal of any interest. Consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or landman about your specific situation.
Illinois has 66 operating wind projects with 3,894 turbines and 8,472.9 MW of recorded capacity across 30 counties, according to the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (version 9.1, released September 28, 2026).[1]
By recorded capacity, the leading counties are McLean County (1,276.5 MW), Logan County (699.8 MW), Lee County (682.9 MW), Henry County (533 MW) and LaSalle County (514.4 MW).[1]
Buckhead Energy buys wind lease payments and wind royalties. What Buckhead buys depends on the deal, and Buckhead tells the seller up front which interest it is offering to buy — for example, the payments for the rest of the current lease term, a term easement, or a longer-term interest.
Of the projects with a recorded year, 15 came online in the 2000s, 26 in the 2010s and 21 in the 2020s.[1] Wind power leases generally have terms of 20 to 40 years, often with an option to extend, while a typical utility-scale wind power project has a useful life of 20 years.[2]
Selling Wind Royalties and Wind Lease Payments
[1] U.S. Wind Turbine Database (version 9.1, released September 28, 2026) — U.S. Geological Survey, American Clean Power Association and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (accessed November 1, 2026)
[2] New York Wind Energy Guide for Local Decision Makers: Land Agreements — New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (accessed November 1, 2026)
[3] Wind explained: Where wind power is harnessed — U.S. Energy Information Administration (accessed November 1, 2026)
Buckhead Energy buys wind lease payments and wind royalties.
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