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Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in New York

Quick answer

Buckhead Energy buys wind lease payments and wind royalties. New York has 41 operating wind projects with 1,380 turbines and 2,854.2 MW of recorded capacity across 13 counties, according to the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (version 9.1, released September 28, 2026).

Wind projects by county in New York

Lewis County, Steuben County and Clinton County have the most recorded wind capacity in New York, with 581 MW, 546.4 MW and 494.3 MW.[1]

Wind projects in New York came online between 2000 and 2025.[1]

CountyProjectsTurbinesCapacity (MW)Online
Lewis County62825812005–2023
Steuben County7206546.42009–2025
Clinton County4256494.32008–2012
Wyoming County52914332008–2013
Chautauqua County5102312.22015–2023
Franklin County2108184.22009–2016
Broome County126111.82023
Herkimer County137742011
Madison County44670.12000–2012
Erie County41636.82007–2017
Oneida County2662007–2017
Ontario County123.32011
Wayne County121.12012

Source: U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USGS, ACP, LBNL), version 9.1, released September 28, 2026. Data compiled November 3, 2026.

How wind leases pay

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]

What you sell and what you keep

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.

Frequently asked questions

How many wind projects are in New York?

New York has 41 operating wind projects with 1,380 turbines and 2,854.2 MW of recorded capacity across 13 counties, according to the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (version 9.1, released September 28, 2026).[1]

Which New York counties have the most wind capacity?

By recorded capacity, the leading counties are Lewis County (581 MW), Steuben County (546.4 MW), Clinton County (494.3 MW), Wyoming County (433 MW) and Chautauqua County (312.2 MW).[1]

Can I sell wind lease payments or royalties in New York?

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.

When were New York's wind projects built?

Of the projects with a recorded year, 15 came online in the 2000s, 15 in the 2010s and eight 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]

Related pages

Selling Wind Royalties and Wind Lease Payments

Mineral rights in New York

Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in New York

Sources

[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)

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