Quick answer
The projects came online between 2011 and 2012.[1] Turbine makers represented in the county: Vestas (50 turbines) and GE Wind (20 turbines).[1]
| Project | Online | Turbines in the county | Capacity in the county (MW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Wind II | 2011 | 50 | 90 |
| Minden Wind Park | 2012 | 20 | 32 |
Source: U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USGS, ACP, LBNL), version 9.1, released September 28, 2026. Data compiled November 3, 2026.
Turbines at the oldest project in the county have been in place since 2011.[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] The newest project here came online in 2012.[1] In royalty arrangements, the developer pays the landowner a percentage of the revenue received from the electricity produced by the turbines.[2] Minimum payments serve as a floor so landowners receive some revenue even when maintenance outages or lower winds cut production in a given year.[2]
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.
Sanilac County, Michigan has two operating wind projects with 70 turbines and 122 MW of recorded capacity in the county, according to the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (version 9.1, released September 28, 2026).[1]
The projects are Michigan Wind II (2011, 90 MW) and Minden Wind Park (2012, 32 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, two came online in the 2010s.[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]
Nearby Michigan counties with wind projects include Huron County (982.7 MW), Tuscola County (568.5 MW), Saginaw County (84.8 MW), Midland County (148.5 MW) and Gratiot County (928.4 MW).[1]
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Michigan
Selling Wind Royalties and Wind Lease Payments
Oil and gas mineral rights in Sanilac County, Michigan
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Huron County
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Tuscola County
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Saginaw County
[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)
Buckhead Energy buys wind lease payments and wind royalties.
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