Quick answer
Deuel County, Hyde County and Grant County have the most recorded wind capacity in South Dakota, with 570.6 MW, 428.9 MW and 365.9 MW.[1]
Wind projects in South Dakota came online between 2001 and 2023.[1]
| County | Projects | Turbines | Capacity (MW) | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deuel County | 4 | 218 | 570.6 | 2010–2021 |
| Hyde County | 3 | 168 | 428.9 | 2003–2023 |
| Grant County | 5 | 103 | 365.9 | 2019–2022 |
| Brookings County | 4 | 180 | 363.1 | 2007–2019 |
| Codington County | 4 | 142 | 350.7 | 2011–2022 |
| Clark County | 2 | 88 | 229.8 | 2014–2019 |
| Hand County | 2 | 81 | 223.8 | 2009–2023 |
| Bon Homme County | 2 | 41 | 140.2 | 2015–2020 |
| Charles Mix County | 2 | 38 | 107.4 | 2015–2020 |
| Butte County | 1 | 38 | 106.4 | 2020 |
| Day County | 1 | 66 | 105.6 | 2010 |
| Aurora County | 2 | 62 | 100.2 | 2010–2018 |
| Campbell County | 1 | 55 | 93.5 | 2015 |
| Jerauld County | 3 | 61 | 91.5 | 2009–2011 |
| McPherson County | 1 | 59 | 88.5 | 2008 |
| Roberts County | 1 | 16 | 76.8 | 2021 |
| Brule County | 4 | 39 | 65.3 | 2001–2018 |
| Hughes County | 2 | 21 | 56.4 | 2023 |
| Hutchinson County | 2 | 21 | 48.6 | 2015–2020 |
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]
South Dakota: wind and solar energy rights may not be severed from the surface estate but may be leased for up to fifty years, with lease payments made annually.[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.
South Dakota has 32 operating wind projects with 1,497 turbines and 3,613.2 MW of recorded capacity across 19 counties, according to the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (version 9.1, released September 28, 2026).[1]
By recorded capacity, the leading counties are Deuel County (570.6 MW), Hyde County (428.9 MW), Grant County (365.9 MW), Brookings County (363.1 MW) and Codington County (350.7 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, seven came online in the 2000s, 13 in the 2010s and 11 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]
South Dakota: wind and solar energy rights may not be severed from the surface estate but may be leased for up to fifty years, with lease payments made annually.[3]
[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] South Dakota Codified Laws 43-13-19: Severance of wind or solar energy rights limited — South Dakota Legislature (accessed November 1, 2026)
Buckhead Energy buys wind lease payments and wind royalties.
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