Lease Land for a Wind Farm
Tenaska aims to be a good steward of your land, to support its long-term preservation, and to provide an added source of income for your family over the next 30+ years.
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8 States
Of wind development experience
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7,500 MW
Of wind development footprint
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35 Years
Of Tenaska energy development experience
Benefits of a Wind Farm
Leasing land for a wind farm is a great way to diversify your income. A wind lease can supplement your family’s income, keep the land in your family and provide for retirement – all while allowing for continued farming or ranching on the property.
Your family will receive lease payments, either from hosting turbines or through wind rights, for decades to come. At the end of the project’s useful life, the turbines will be removed, and the land will be restored for further use.
Known for being a good
business neighbor
“You’re only as successful as the people you work with. Tenaska felt like they were part of the family.”
Jerry Brake
Landowner, Nobles 2 Wind Farm, Nobles County, MN
Phases of a Wind Farm
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Development
4-7 Years
Tenaska reviews the area to ensure it meets criteria for wind farm development.
A Tenaska land agent meets with interested landowners to go over a lease agreement in detail. A signed agreement starts the option period and related payments.
Once enough land agreements are signed, an interconnection request is filed with a grid operator, beginning a multi-year process to deliver power to the end users.
Various engineering and environmental studies are performed, and participating landowners are notified in advance of any study work on their land. These studies analyze migration patterns, local geology, soil characteristics, wetlands and wildlife habitats to ensure turbine placement is as safe, minimally invasive and efficient as possible. Special attention is paid to sensitive species, such as eagles and bats.
The project applies for applicable state and federal permits that govern wildlife and waterways and seeks appropriate approvals from state and local governments.
Tenaska secures a customer for the power to help assure the overall economic viability of the project.
Near the end of this phase, we exercise the option agreements with landowners to position the project for construction. This starts the lease period.
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Construction
2 Years
An engineering, procurement and construction contractor is hired to pour foundations, install wind turbines and connect them to the transmission system. We aim to source qualified, local labor and local materials as much as possible.
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Operation
30+ Years
The wind farm is maintained for more than 30 years by an on-site operations team, which is typically 4-10 people.
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Decommissioning
After the contract period ends, we remove all turbines and access roads, and any damages are repaired so that the land may be used for other purposes.
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Requires Minimal Land
Each turbine requires less than an acre of land, so you can continue using the surrounding area for farming, ranching, leasing or other purposes.
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Ensures Profit
Any costs resulting from construction, operation, decommissioning or increased property taxes are paid for by the company.
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Supports the Local Economy
Wind farms can boost tax revenue for community improvements, as well as create job opportunities for qualified, local construction workers and suppliers and increase business at local establishments.
Michigan Tale of 2 Counties
My Renewable Resource interviewed residents and officials from two counties in Michigan to compare development over a decade of wind farm operations. Gratiot County first embraced wind in 2012 and has seen significant benefits to the community as a result of the investment. Lenawee County rejected wind development in 2012 and is now seeking a $42 million bond issue to fix its aging schools. Watch the video to hear more about the landowner and community experience with wind farms.
Explore Our Wind Case Studies
Minnesota
Nobles 2 Wind Farm
Missouri
Knox County Wind Farm
We Encourage You to Ask Questions
What makes a good location for a wind farm?
We develop wind farms where there is nearby access to the transmission system, wind that blows at the right speed for a prolonged amount of time, a large amount of land with interested owners and a community that is invested in its economic benefits.
Should I be concerned about shadow flicker?
Tenaska reviews the land before building a wind farm to ensure proper planning and siting. Special attention is paid to shadow flicker, which generally occurs near sunrise and sunset, lasting only a few minutes. It is based on the angle of the sun in relation to the turbine and the person observing the effect.
If needed, slight adjustments can be made to comply with the industry standard of no more than 30 hours per year of modeled realistic shadow flicker at a receptor.
Will the wind turbines produce a lot of sound?
Wind turbines produce minimal sound that is often lost among natural background noises. Typically, two people can carry on a conversation at normal voice levels while standing directly below a turbine.
Does the presence of a wind farm impact property values?
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory completed a study in 2013 that used data collected from the sale of more than 50,000 homes in 27 counties across nine different states. These homes were within 10 miles of wind projects, with 1,198 sales within one mile and 331 sales within half of a mile. This study also used data from before a project, the post-announcement/pre-construction period and during operation. The study found no evidence of an effect on prices of homes in proximity to wind turbines.
Committed to Hard Work and Honest Dealing
Over the past 35 years, Tenaska has earned a reputation for developing responsible energy projects and being a good business neighbor. We have developed, managed and/or operated approximately 22,000 megawatts of generating facilities.
After the Nobles 2 Wind Farm was put into operation, we sat down with the Brake family and the Nobles County Commissioner. Watch this video to learn more about their experience working with Tenaska.
Let’s Start the
Conversation
Connect with a Tenaska representative
Everyone’s land is unique, which is why we want you to connect with a Tenaska representative to discuss the process, ask questions and learn about benefits specific to you and your land. Start by filling out this form.
If you are a contractor or vendor looking to contact Tenaska regarding your product or service, please fill out the Contractors & Vendors form on our main website.