Frequently Asked Questions for Landowners
Below are questions we commonly receive from Landowners. Click on the question to link to the answer.
How much will be paid and how will the payments be made?
How much land will be used?
Can I still use my land and can visitors still hunt and fish on my land?
Will Wasatch Wind develop the land, or are you just trying to tie it up?
Will Wasatch Wind remove the turbines when the project is complete?
How much will I be paid and how will the payments be made?
We typically pay landowners an annual fee while we assess the land to determine the viability of wind development. If we decide to move forward with wind development on your land, we will pay a royalty fee per turbine per year based on gross revenues. The annual cash amount will depend on the size of the turbines, the energy that is generated and the price of the power sold to the utility. The payments will occur while the turbines are in operation on your land.
Approximately 50-75 acres of land are needed per turbine. Approximately 1% of the total project area is used for turbines, and approximately 2-5% of the total project area is used for all wind facility structures including access roads.
Can I still use my land and can visitors still hunt and fish on my land?
Because such a small amount of land is actually used for the wind energy structures, existing land uses, including farming, ranching, recreation and hunting, can continue around the turbines. Our leases ensure that the landowner retains the right to manage the land the way they see fit.
Will Wasatch Wind develop the land, or are you just trying to tie it up?
Wasatch Wind asks only for a minimum commitment to be able to measure the wind resource to confirm the wind potential and conduct environmental and constructability studies. This assessment period usually takes several years depending on the area requirements. Should the wind be adequate, we will then ask for a permanent extension to the agreement subject to us completing the wind farm development in a timely manner. Wasatch Wind typically will partner with another company to own and operate our wind farms.
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Will Wasatch Wind remove the turbines and structures at the end of the project?
When the project has run its course, our contract with you ensures that we provide financial assurance that structures are removed in a timely manner and at our cost.
Landowner Links:
http://www.windustry.org/opportunities/easements.htm
http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/WindyLandownersFS.pdf
