Quick answer
Adair County, O'Brien County and Kossuth County have the most recorded wind capacity in Iowa, with 1,130.2 MW, 752.3 MW and 583.2 MW.[1]
Wind projects in Iowa came online between 1997 and 2026.[1]
| County | Projects | Turbines | Capacity (MW) | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adair County | 17 | 526 | 1,130.2 | 2008–2020 |
| O'Brien County | 3 | 318 | 752.3 | 2015–2016 |
| Kossuth County | 7 | 196 | 583.2 | 1998–2022 |
| Worth County | 7 | 304 | 517.9 | 2001–2021 |
| Poweshiek County | 4 | 240 | 513.3 | 2017–2019 |
| Ida County | 2 | 215 | 503.5 | 2016–2019 |
| Franklin County | 3 | 262 | 500 | 2009–2020 |
| Mitchell County | 5 | 194 | 426.7 | 2008–2018 |
| Cass County | 5 | 170 | 422.4 | 2008–2017 |
| Pocahontas County | 5 | 216 | 361.8 | 2007–2012 |
| Palo Alto County | 4 | 180 | 358.9 | 2007–2020 |
| Adams County | 7 | 121 | 349.9 | 2011–2026 |
| Audubon County | 4 | 139 | 343.3 | 2012–2022 |
| Winnebago County | 4 | 157 | 340.6 | 2008–2020 |
| Sac County | 5 | 175 | 334.8 | 2005–2021 |
| Webster County | 1 | 107 | 331.7 | 2025 |
| Greene County | 5 | 158 | 324.7 | 2007–2018 |
| Dickinson County | 5 | 146 | 270 | 2001–2019 |
| Iowa County | 2 | 77 | 252.5 | 2020 |
| Hancock County | 2 | 248 | 250 | 2002–2008 |
| Marshall County | 2 | 92 | 247.3 | 2011–2024 |
| Hamilton County | 5 | 132 | 245.3 | 2005–2023 |
| Howard County | 4 | 145 | 241 | 2008–2019 |
| Cherokee County | 4 | 110 | 232.3 | 1999–2019 |
| Grundy County | 2 | 95 | 231.6 | 2014–2018 |
| Tama County | 3 | 81 | 231.5 | 2011–2025 |
| Story County | 9 | 137 | 217.4 | 2008–2017 |
| Carroll County | 3 | 132 | 215.3 | 2008–2017 |
| Buena Vista County | 6 | 259 | 213.1 | 1999–2017 |
| Chickasaw County | 2 | 67 | 202.4 | 2023 |
| Plymouth County | 1 | 73 | 202.2 | 2021 |
| Clay County | 2 | 75 | 187.1 | 2007–2019 |
| Boone County | 4 | 77 | 186.2 | 2017–2023 |
| Crawford County | 2 | 93 | 168.7 | 2012–2017 |
| Mahaska County | 2 | 84 | 168 | 2017–2018 |
| Pottawattamie County | 2 | 103 | 165.2 | 2008–2013 |
| Osceola County | 4 | 64 | 153.8 | 1997–2010 |
| Guthrie County | 1 | 63 | 149.9 | 2012 |
| Union County | 2 | 34 | 141.9 | 2020 |
| Fremont County | 1 | 33 | 130.9 | 2025 |
| Madison County | 1 | 51 | 119.6 | 2014 |
| Hardin County | 2 | 78 | 118.5 | 2009–2017 |
| Taylor County | 3 | 43 | 116 | 2017–2020 |
| Delaware County | 4 | 43 | 111.8 | 2011–2022 |
| Page County | 1 | 21 | 83.8 | 2025 |
| Floyd County | 1 | 50 | 75 | 2008 |
| Wright County | 2 | 49 | 73.5 | 2007–2017 |
| Cerro Gordo County | 3 | 24 | 54.7 | 2017–2020 |
| Fayette County | 2 | 18 | 43.5 | 2012–2017 |
| Calhoun County | 1 | 8 | 21.3 | 2011 |
| Appanoose County | 1 | 3 | 7.9 | 2021 |
| Cedar County | 1 | 2 | 6 | 2012 |
| Dallas County | 1 | 3 | 6 | 2017 |
| Emmet County | 2 | 2 | 3.2 | 2004–2005 |
| Linn County | 1 | 1 | 2.5 | 2012 |
| Winneshiek County | 1 | 1 | 1.6 | 2011 |
| Henry 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.
Iowa has 158 operating wind projects with 6,496 turbines and 13,645.2 MW of recorded capacity across 57 counties, according to the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (version 9.1, released September 28, 2026).[1]
By recorded capacity, the leading counties are Adair County (1,130.2 MW), O'Brien County (752.3 MW), Kossuth County (583.2 MW), Worth County (517.9 MW) and Poweshiek County (513.3 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, five came online in the 1990s, 36 in the 2000s, 80 in the 2010s and 34 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]
[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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