Greenpeace is preparing to take legal action targeting the property management firm associated with King Charles, claiming it is abusing its exclusive control over the ocean floor.
The group asserts that the royal estate has increased costs for renewable power companies while enhancing its own profits and the monarchy's revenue through aggressive auctions for seabed rights.
Being the official proprietor of the seafloor surrounding England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the Crown Estate oversees the auctioning of offshore wind rights. It has profited greatly from the industry's expansion, securing substantial option fees from clean power developers aiming to obtain zones for windfarm development.
The Crown Estate recorded a earnings of over a billion pounds for the fiscal period ending in March, doubling the figure from just two years earlier.
Greenpeace UK's co-executive director remarked, "The seabed should be managed in the interest of the public and common good, not treated as an asset to be used for profit and large incentives."
He continued, "We must leave no stone unturned in finding answers to reduce energy bills that are creating difficulties for many of households."
"Given the importance of affordable bills and clean power to the national agenda, the chancellor should exercise her powers to request an external examination of these bidding systems. If the issue isn't resolved before the next round, we may have to let the courts decide on whether the existing methods are legal."
The organization maintains that the estate has a legal obligation to avoid misusing its monopoly position as seabed owner, but is currently breaching this requirement.
The group expressed concern that the Crown Estate is restricting available marine space to maintain high prices, which could hinder the growth of marine renewable energy in the United Kingdom.
The estate has reportedly dismissed the group's claims, stating that the organization has misinterpreted its statutory obligations.
Approximately 12% of the Crown Estate's profits are directed to the monarchy to fund its operations. This share was reduced from 25% in 2023 to offset the increase in profits from marine energy projects.
The United Kingdom's wind power sector is at a critical point as the administration plans to increase twofold land-based wind power and quadruple sea-based wind output by the end of the decade.
The Crown Estate, which also includes a portfolio of London properties and countryside holdings, is valued at fifteen billion pounds. Its London assets, centered around prime central areas, are estimated at £7.1 billion.
A representative for the estate said, "Greenpeace has misinterpreted our obligations and auction procedures. Option fees are not determined by the estate. They are determined by developers through open, competitive auctions and indicate industry interest at the moment. Since our net revenue is paid to the Treasury, these payments guarantee that the public gain from the fair return from using our limited and valuable marine territory."
The representative continued, "We is speeding up marine renewable energy in accordance to government policy to advance the energy transition quickly and improve national power stability."
The finance ministry was contacted for comment.
