Quick answer
Fond du Lac County, Columbia County and Dodge County have the most recorded wind capacity in Wisconsin, with 268.4 MW, 162 MW and 127.5 MW.[1]
Wind projects in Wisconsin came online between 1999 and 2023.[1]
| County | Projects | Turbines | Capacity (MW) | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fond du Lac County | 3 | 166 | 268.4 | 2008 |
| Columbia County | 1 | 90 | 162 | 2011 |
| Dodge County | 2 | 85 | 127.5 | 2008–2009 |
| Lafayette County | 1 | 49 | 98 | 2017 |
| Grant County | 1 | 28 | 92.4 | 2023 |
| Iowa County | 1 | 20 | 30 | 2001 |
| Brown County | 1 | 8 | 20 | 2010 |
| Kewaunee County | 1 | 17 | 11.2 | 1999 |
| Dane County | 1 | 6 | 9.9 | 2012 |
| Monroe County | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2012 |
| Racine County | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2012 |
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]
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.
Wisconsin has 13 operating wind projects with 473 turbines and 827.4 MW of recorded capacity across 11 counties, according to the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (version 9.1, released September 28, 2026).[1]
By recorded capacity, the leading counties are Fond du Lac County (268.4 MW), Columbia County (162 MW), Dodge County (127.5 MW), Lafayette County (98 MW) and Grant County (92.4 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 1990s, five in the 2000s, six in the 2010s and one 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]
[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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