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Greenpeace is considering a lawsuit targeting the property management firm associated with King Charles, claiming it is exploiting its monopoly position over the seabed.

The group argues that the royal estate has increased expenses for renewable power companies while boosting its own profits and the royal family's income through aggressive auctions for offshore leasing rights.

As the legal owner of the seafloor surrounding England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the estate oversees the sale of rights for sea-based wind projects. It has profited significantly from the industry's expansion, collecting large reservation payments from renewable energy companies aiming to secure areas for wind power development.

The estate recorded a profit of £1.1 billion for the fiscal period concluding in March, twice the amount from just two years prior.

Greenpeace UK's co-executive director stated, "The seabed should be administered in the interest of the public and wider society, not treated as an property to be used for profit and large bonuses."

He added, "We must leave no stone unturned in seeking solutions to reduce energy bills that are creating difficulties for many of households."

"Considering the importance of low-cost energy and clean power to the national agenda, the finance minister should use her authority to request an external examination of these auction processes. If the problem isn't addressed before the subsequent phase, we may have to let the courts decide on whether the existing methods are lawful."

The organization maintains that the Crown Estate has a legal obligation to avoid abusing its dominant status as seabed owner, but is currently breaching this requirement.

The group voiced worries that the estate is restricting seabed supply to maintain high prices, which could hinder the growth of marine renewable energy in the United Kingdom.

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

Roughly 12% of the Crown Estate's profits are allocated to the monarchy to support its activities. This share was reduced from twenty-five percent in recent years to offset the surge in income from offshore wind projects.

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

The Crown Estate, which also includes a collection of real estate in the capital and rural estates, is worth at £15 billion. Its London assets, centered around prime central areas, are estimated at £7.1 billion.

A representative for the Crown Estate commented, "Greenpeace has misunderstood our legal duties and auction procedures. Reservation payments are not determined by the Crown Estate. They are determined by developers through open, competitive auctions and indicate industry interest at the moment. Since our net revenue is returned to the Treasury, these payments guarantee that the public benefit from the fair return from developing our limited and precious seabed resource."

The representative added, "The Crown Estate is speeding up offshore wind in line with government policy to move forward the shift to clean power rapidly and improve energy security."

The Treasury was approached for a statement.