Wind turbines are not just quiet white towers on your land: they are huge industrial power generators that do make noise, change the landscape, and alter life for you–and your neighbours and your whole community–for decades [Photo D. Larsen for Wind Concerns Ontario]
September 23, 2026
With another Independent Electrucity System Operator or IESO Request For Proposals coming soon, wind power developers are sending land agents out to find willing hosts for industrial wind turbines.
Make now mistake: wind turbines are an industrial land use The contracts can be quite complicated and not necessarily to your benefit.
Here’s what you need to know (reposted from April, 2026).
With the Independent Electricity System Operator or IESO planning another Request For Proposals to launch in 2026 (deadline second quarter 2027), landowners may be contacted to sign a lease to “host” an industrial wind turbine on their property.
This is nothing short of a momentous decision—one that will affect you and your family for 20 to 40 even 60 years.
There’s more to this than the money offered.
Our best piece of advice comes from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) which has a comprehensive fact sheet (written by an Ontario young farm owner) that covers every question you might have. And more.
It’s available here: Agreements for Renewable Energy Installations on Your Land – Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Also good advice: talk to your neighbours (your decision to lease your land will affect them and in fact, your whole community) and…
GET A LAWYER.
Wind turbine contracts can be very lengthy and complex—it will be difficult to accurately decide what’s in your best interests on your own, reading these complicated documents.
We consulted lawyer Garth Manning* QC a few years ago. Here’s a sample question that Mr. Manning asks:
“Does the agreement affect your future plans for the farm? Are you restricted in any way as to what you can do, e.g., manure spreading or pesticide use, tree planting, hunting? Or, what you can complain about?”
Or,
“Who decides where the turbines and access roads go? This can affect farming operations and cost you extra money in fuel costs, etc.”
Or,
“When the contract ends, who takes down the turbines and infrastructure? It can cost more than $500,000 to dismantle a 600-foot wind turbine.”
The conclusion: there is substantial risk for landowners in these agreements. This is the time to think carefully and seek independent legal advice.
Be aware, Mr Manning says: the wind power developer does not have YOUR best interests at heart. The wind company, profits, and investors are Number One.
You may also read our “Impacts of wind power” page here on this site, to understand citizen concerns about industrial wind turbines.
contact@windconcernsontario.ca
*Mr Manning, a prominent lawyer in Toronto who retired to Prince Edward County, has since passed away.