Land Strategy Planning
Land strategy planning involves identifying the ideal use for land and/or selecting the ideal land for a specific project. Numerous economic, legal, and local considerations impact the strategic process, especially when planning utility-scale energy projects. Developing an effective strategic plan is important to avoid excessive risk and ensure optimal return on investment.
Factors to Consider
Strategically acquiring and utilizing land for energy projects is a multifaceted process that requires careful evaluation from a variety of perspectives.
Scientific: Simply knowing where a natural resource is likely to exist may not be enough. In many cases, additional subsurface analysis is required—especially in states with little or no history of energy production.
Legal: Obtaining necessary permits and approvals could require months or years, depending on the project type. Acquiring land usage rights typically involves local courthouse research, careful negotiation, and timely execution of landowner agreements.
Financial: Regarding acquisition, acreage optioning can be a more cost-effective way to lock in land usage rights compared to purchase agreements.
Economic: Property values, state and county tax rates, and industrial activity influence decisions about where to locate projects. In many cases, communities with challenging economic circumstances could serve as excellent locations—both for developers and local job seekers.
Political: An energy project can quickly become a politically sensitive topic within a community. Ensuring buy-in from state and local leaders, industry trade organizations, and advocacy groups helps keep projects on track.
Community: Opposition to a project can increase rapidly due to online forums and social media chatter. Monitoring sentiment within and around an area of interest is a prudent step.
Support for Land Strategy Planning
Our team at Trigen offers services to support energy developers’ strategic planning. Contact our team for assistance with landowner outreach and engagement, lease acquisition, due diligence, GIS mapping, and more. Explore our land services for energy and infrastructure projects.