Renewable Energy Opportunities Across the Duchy of Cornwall Estate
Investigating Renewable Energy Generation and Storage
Across the Duchy of Cornwall estate, the Prince of Wales is “investigating opportunities” for the development of renewable energy and storage projects.
In an effort to reach net zero emissions by 2032, the more than 52,000-hectare private estate, which is primarily located in the southwest of England, may now be able to accommodate solar, onshore wind, and other renewable energy infrastructure.
“Achieving a balance between financial results, protecting the natural environment, and supporting our communities has always been at the heart of the Duchy,” a representative for Kensington Palace told reNEWS.
“We continue to investigate opportunities for the generation and storage of renewable energy across the estate.”
Review of Renewable Energy Potential
The 25th Duke of Cornwall, the Prince of Wales, is the steward of the duchy. According to an article published in The Observer over the weekend, he has ordered a “major review of renewable energy” across the estate, which includes potential locations for onshore wind turbines, geothermal projects, and large-scale solar farms.
The newspaper reports that officials are eager to “find a way to support turbines,” reversing King Charles’ opposition to onshore wind during his tenure as Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall. He is anticipated to take the study’s findings into consideration later this year.
Balancing Renewable Energy and Landscape Impacts
However, given that new proposals would likely prioritize landscape and visual impacts, it is unlikely to entail a wholesale opening of duchy land to developers.
“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,” said Alastair Martin, secretary and keeper of the records at the Duchy of Cornwall, during a recent press briefing.
“And now that we have a new Duke, I am sure those will not go away.”
