The Prince of Wales is “investigating opportunities” for the development of renewable energy and storage projects across the Duchy of Cornwall estate.
The move could unlock areas within the more than 52,000-hectare private estate, mostly spanning the south-west of England, for solar, onshore wind and other renewables infrastructure as part of its drive to achieve net zero emissions by 2032.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson told reNEWS: “Achieving a balance between financial results, protecting the natural environment, and supporting our communities has always been at the heart of the Duchy.
“We continue to investigate opportunities for the generation and storage of renewable energy across the estate.”
It was reported in The Observer at the weekend that the Prince of Wales – steward of the duchy as the 25th Duke of Cornwall – has commissioned a “major review of renewable energy” across the estate that includes opportunities for large-scale solar farms, geothermal projects and onshore wind turbines.
He is expected to consider the findings of the study later this year, according to the newspaper, which notes officials are keen to “find a way to support turbines” in what would be a reversal of King Charles’ opposition to onshore wind during his time as Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall.
It is unlikely to mean a wholesale opening of duchy land to developers, however, as landscape and visual impacts would be a key consideration in new proposals.
Secretary and keeper of the records at the Duchy of Cornwall Alastair Martin told a recent press briefing: “The issue with the Duchy of Cornwall estate is that it happens to be in some of the most beautiful parts of the south-west of England particularly, and there are always aesthetic considerations.
“And I’m sure those are not going to go away because we’ve got a new Duke.”