Types of Wind Royalties

Like oil and gas royalties and mineral rights, wind royalties can be passed to the next generation or sold to a third party.  

Three Types of Wind Royalties & Payments

Landowners who have wind turbines on their properties can recieve three types of compensation.

Wind Estate

Wind rights are typically referred to as the “wind estate”. No state specifically recognizes wind rights, but many have passed anti-severance statutes.

Wind Royalties

Landowners who host wind turbines in exchange for semi-annual compensation – normally a minimum payment or percentage of energy sold.

Nuisance or Participation Payments

Landowners who live near turbines but don’t host them are sometimes paid for “participating” in the wind project or wind farm.

Wind Royalties & Compensation

 

Unlike oil and gas mineral rights, wind power development is still relatively new, so there is not yet a robust body of law governing wind rights and royalties.  As a result, each wind agreement, lease or easement must outline, in great detail, the terms of the contract between the landowner and the wind project developer.  These agreements typically range from 20-40 pages and often contain terms that favor the developer rather than the landowner.

By signing the contract, the landowner agrees to a period of exploration, development, and finally, if the developer choose to host one or more wind turbines on the property, a production period with optional extensions.  In exchange, the developer agrees to compensate the landowner in uartly, semi-annual, or annual payments (or a combination thereof).

These payment are often referred to as wind royalties.  The landowner is sometimes guaranteed a minimum payment or percentage of the energy sold, whichever is greater.  Many contracts have an escalating royalty that increases over the term of the contract.

Wind contracts often have the option to renew, but many landowners do not realize that most projects need to be depowered between 8 and 15 years.  The wind turbine may be decommissioned, automatically ending the contract.

There are many unknowns and risks associated with owning wind royalties, and having a long contract with multiple renewal options is not a guarantee of future revenue.

wind royalties
wind turbine royalties

The Wind Estate

Although many landowners have attempted to sever wind rights, it is unclear if the courts will recognize the wind estate as being separate from the surface.  In many states, the legal implications of severing wind rights are still unknown.

Many hope the courts will eventually recognize the wind estate as similar to the mineral estate.  Unfortunately, the trend does not appear promising.  

No state currently recognizes the “wind estate”.  In fact, many states have enacted specific anti-severance statutes. In these states, wind rights are inherently connected to the land and cannot be severed.  

Anti-severance legislation benefits the developer, who will never have to deal with fractioned ownership (unlike the oil and gas industry).  Simplified title, ownership, and easier payment process are in the developer’s best interest.  Wind power organizations and developers have far deeper pockets and greater influence than even the largest ranchers.

The following states have anti-wind severance statutes:

  • Colorado
  • Kansas
  • Oklahoma
  • North Dakota
  • South Dakota
  • Nebraska
  • Montana
  • Wyoming

Selling Wind Royalties

Most wind royalties are unfractionated (they are still owned by the original landowner).  However, wind royalties will be increasingly fractioned as landowners pass the royalties to the next generation or royalty owners choose to sell their royalties.

Wind royalties generally sell for 8-12 times the annual revenue, which is much higher than oil and gas royalties.

While oil and gas checks decline over time, wind royalties often have an escalating royalty that increases over time (but may or may not keep up with inflation).

sell wind royalties

How Wind Royalties Are Valued

There are many factors that play into the value of wind royalties and other compensation. These include location, capacity, average wind speed, current royalty percentage, wind production, lease terms, and even the operator of the wind farm or project.

Location

Wind farms are typcially situated in areas with consistently high wind speeds, ideal terrain, and close proximity to electric transmission lines.

Capacity

Newer wind turbines are typcially rated for a higher capacity and generate more wind power and revenue.

Wind Speed

Higher average wind speeds genrate more wind energy and therefore, more revenue.

Production

Higher producing wind turbines generate more wind power over the life of the wind farm.

Lease Terms

Favorable lease terms positively impact the market value of wind royalties.

Operator

Large, experienced wind farm operators are often more financially sound.