Quick answer
The projects came online between 2005 and 2014.[1] Turbine makers represented in the county: Vestas (204 turbines) and Siemens (116 turbines).[1]
| Project | Online | Turbines in the county | Capacity in the county (MW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucannon River | 2014 | 116 | 266.8 |
| Marengo I | 2007 | 78 | 156 |
| Hopkins Ridge Wind Project | 2005 | 83 | 149.4 |
| Marengo II | 2008 | 39 | 78 |
| Hopkins Ridge II | 2008 | 4 | 7.2 |
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 2005.[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 2014.[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.
Columbia County, Washington has five operating wind projects with 320 turbines and 657.4 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 Tucannon River (2014, 266.8 MW), Marengo I (2007, 156 MW), Hopkins Ridge Wind Project (2005, 149.4 MW), Marengo II (2008, 78 MW) and Hopkins Ridge II (2008, 7.2 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, four came online in the 2000s and one 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 Washington counties with wind projects include Garfield County (342.7 MW), Adams County (149.9 MW), Walla Walla County (178.2 MW), Whitman County (104.4 MW) and Benton County (95.9 MW).[1]
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Washington
Selling Wind Royalties and Wind Lease Payments
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Garfield County
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Adams County
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Walla Walla 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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