Quick answer
The project came online in 2002.[1] The project also has turbines outside Preston County; the table counts only the turbines in the county.[1] Turbine makers represented in the county: NEG Micon (4 turbines).[1]
| Project | Online | Turbines in the county | Capacity in the county (MW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountaineer Wind Energy Center (Thomas) | 2002 | 4 | 6 |
Source: U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USGS, ACP, LBNL), version 9.1, released September 28, 2026. Data compiled November 3, 2026.
Turbines at the project in the county have been in place since 2002.[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] 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.
Preston County, West Virginia has one operating wind project with 4 turbines and 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 project is Mountaineer Wind Energy Center (Thomas) (2002, 6 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.
The project came online in 2002.[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 West Virginia counties with wind projects include Tucker County (60 MW), Grant County (168.5 MW), Barbour County (57.7 MW), Mineral County (110.2 MW) and Randolph County (42.9 MW).[1]
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in West Virginia
Selling Wind Royalties and Wind Lease Payments
Oil and gas mineral rights in Preston County, West Virginia
Mineral rights in West Virginia
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Tucker County
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Grant County
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Barbour 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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