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The environmental organization is considering a lawsuit against the estate manager associated with King Charles, alleging it is abusing its monopoly position over the seabed.

Greenpeace asserts that the royal estate has driven up expenses for renewable power companies while enhancing its own earnings and the monarchy's revenue through aggressive bidding processes for offshore leasing rights.

Being the official proprietor of the seabed surrounding the UK's coastal waters, the estate manages the sale of offshore wind rights. It has benefited greatly from the industry's expansion, collecting large reservation payments from clean power companies seeking to obtain areas for windfarm construction.

The Crown Estate reported a profit of over a billion pounds for the financial year ending in March, twice the amount from just two years earlier.

Greenpeace UK's co-executive director remarked, "The seabed should be administered in the interest of the public and wider society, not viewed as an property to be exploited for financial gain and large bonuses."

He continued, "It's essential to explore every option in finding answers to lower power costs that are creating difficulties for millions of families."

"Given the importance of low-cost energy and clean power to the national agenda, the chancellor should use her authority to call for an external examination of these auction processes. If the issue isn't resolved before the subsequent phase, we may have to let the courts decide on whether the current practices are lawful."

Greenpeace maintains that the estate has a legal obligation to avoid misusing its dominant status as seabed owner, but is currently breaching this responsibility.

The group expressed concern that the estate is limiting available marine space to keep costs elevated, which could hinder the growth of marine renewable energy in the United Kingdom.

The Crown Estate has allegedly rejected Greenpeace's claims, stating that the lobby group has misinterpreted its statutory obligations.

Approximately 12% of the estate's earnings are allocated to the royal family to support its activities. This share was lowered from 25% in 2023 to balance the increase in profits from offshore wind projects.

The United Kingdom's wind power sector is at a critical point as the administration plans to increase twofold onshore wind and quadruple offshore wind capacity by the 2030s.

The estate, which also includes a portfolio of London properties and countryside holdings, is worth at fifteen billion pounds. Its property in the city, located in Regent Street and St James's, are estimated at £7.1 billion.

A spokesperson for the estate said, "The group has misunderstood our obligations and leasing processes. Reservation payments are not determined by the estate. They are determined by companies through transparent bidding and reflect market demand at the moment. Since our net revenue is returned to the Treasury, option fees guarantee that taxpayers benefit from the appropriate value from using our scarce and precious marine territory."

The spokesperson added, "We is accelerating offshore wind in line with government policy to advance the energy transition rapidly and enhance energy security."

The Treasury was contacted for comment.