Quick answer
The projects came online between 2011 and 2021.[1] Turbine makers represented in the county: Vestas (146 turbines) and GE Vernova (1 turbine).[1]
| Project | Online | Turbines in the county | Capacity in the county (MW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bent Tree | 2011 | 122 | 201.3 |
| Freeborn Wind Energy | 2021 | 24 | 52.8 |
| REG Juhl Glenville Wind Project | 2020 | 1 | 2.5 |
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 2021.[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.
Freeborn County, Minnesota has three operating wind projects with 147 turbines and 256.6 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 Bent Tree (2011, 201.3 MW), Freeborn Wind Energy (2021, 52.8 MW) and REG Juhl Glenville Wind Project (2020, 2.5 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, one came online in the 2010s and two 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]
Nearby Minnesota counties with wind projects include Steele County (43.2 MW), Dodge County (66.5 MW), Mower County (608 MW), Faribault County (42.7 MW) and Rice County (5 MW).[1]
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Minnesota
Selling Wind Royalties and Wind Lease Payments
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Steele County
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Dodge County
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Mower 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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