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The environmental organization is preparing to take legal action against the estate manager associated with King Charles, claiming it is abusing its exclusive control over the seabed.

Greenpeace argues that the Crown Estate has increased expenses for wind energy developers while boosting its own earnings and the monarchy's revenue through high-pressure bidding processes for seabed rights.

Being the official proprietor of the seabed surrounding the UK's coastal waters, the estate oversees the sale of offshore wind rights. It has profited greatly from the industry's expansion, securing substantial option fees from renewable energy developers aiming to secure zones for windfarm construction.

The estate recorded a earnings of £1.1 billion for the financial year ending in March, doubling the amount from just two years earlier.

Greenpeace UK's co-executive director stated, "Our marine territory should be managed for the benefit of the public and common good, not treated as an property to be used for financial gain and large bonuses."

He added, "It's essential to leave no stone unturned in finding solutions to lower energy bills that are creating difficulties for many of families."

"Given the importance of low-cost energy and renewable electricity to the government's plans, the chancellor should use her authority to call for an independent review of these auction processes. If the problem isn't resolved before the next round, we may have to seek a legal ruling on whether the existing methods are lawful."

Greenpeace maintains that the Crown Estate has a statutory duty to avoid misusing its monopoly status as seabed owner, but is currently violating this responsibility.

The group expressed concern that the Crown Estate is restricting available marine space to keep costs elevated, which could impede the advancement of offshore wind power in the UK.

The estate has allegedly rejected the group's allegations, stating that the lobby group has misinterpreted its statutory obligations.

Approximately 12% of the Crown Estate's profits are allocated to the royal family to fund its activities. This share was lowered from twenty-five percent in 2023 to offset the increase in income from offshore wind ventures.

The United Kingdom's wind power sector is at a critical point as the government aims to double land-based wind power and quadruple sea-based wind capacity by the 2030s.

The estate, which also holds a portfolio of real estate in the capital and countryside holdings, is worth at £15 billion. Its London assets, centered around prime central areas, are appraised at over seven billion pounds.

A representative for the estate said, "The group has misinterpreted our obligations and auction procedures. Reservation payments are not set by the estate. They are determined by companies through open, competitive auctions and reflect industry interest at the moment. Since our net revenue is returned to the government, option fees ensure that the public benefit from the appropriate value from using our scarce and precious seabed resource."

The representative added, "We is speeding up offshore wind in accordance to government policy to advance the shift to clean power rapidly and improve national power stability."

The Treasury was approached for comment.