Dale Vince: The Green Tycoon Shaping Britain’s Energy and Football Future
STROUD, 27 January 2026 – Dale Vince, the founder of green energy firm Ecotricity and owner of Forest Green Rovers FC, stands as one of Britain’s most influential and controversial environmental figures. A former New Age traveller turned multi-millionaire entrepreneur, Vince has used his wealth and platform to advocate for radical climate action, fund the Labour Party, and pioneer what he calls “the world’s greenest football club.” His recent calls to criminalise climate denial and criticism of government growth priorities have kept him firmly in the political spotlight.
From Traveller to Tycoon
Born in Great Yarmouth in 1961, Vince left school at 15 and spent over a decade living as a New Age traveller. A pivotal moment came in 1991 when he saw his first wind farm. “I thought, either I can carry on by myself with the windmill on my van, or I can get into the big stuff,” he later recalled. In 1995, he founded the Renewable Energy Company, which evolved into Ecotricity. The company, which now supplies over 160,000 customers, reinvests its profits into building new renewable energy projects, a model Vince describes as turning “bills into mills.” His net worth was estimated at £107 million in 2022.
Political Donor and Provocateur
Vince has donated more than £5 million to the Labour Party, including a £1 million donation during the 2024 general election campaign. However, his relationship with the party is not uncritical. In July 2025, he sparked controversy by stating on social media that “climate denial” should be made a “criminal offence” due to the “incredible harm” it causes. He made the comment in support of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who had criticised Conservative and Reform UK views on net zero.
More recently, in January 2026, Vince warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves it would be “foolish” to prioritise economic growth over net zero by approving airport expansions at Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton. He argued the carbon emissions from new runways would “wipe out all of the carbon savings of getting to 100% green on the grid.” This puts him at odds with the government’s stated growth agenda.
Vince’s political commentary has extended beyond domestic issues. In the aftermath of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, a remark he made on Times Radio – “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter” – led to libel suits against media outlets he claimed mischaracterised his views. He has since received apologies and damages from publications including the Daily Mail and GB News.
Forest Green Rovers: A Sustainable Experiment
Beyond energy, Vince’s most public project is Forest Green Rovers, the football club he took over in 2010. Under his ownership, the club became the world’s first all-vegan football club in 2015 and the first UN-certified carbon-neutral football club. Initiatives include an organic pitch, solar panels, a solar-powered robotic lawnmower, and a kit made from recycled plastic and coffee grounds.
The club’s journey has seen highs and lows. It achieved promotion to the English Football League in 2017 but suffered relegation back to non-league football at the end of the 2023-24 season. Vince’s ambition remains the construction of Eco Park, a proposed 5,000-seat stadium made entirely of wood, designed to be the greenest in the world.
Ecotricity and the Green Vision
At the heart of Vince’s empire is Ecotricity, which supplies 100% renewable electricity and is developing “green gas” made from grass. Vince has been a vocal critic of what he sees as misguided solutions to the energy crisis. He opposes a large-scale national heat pump rollout, fearing it could become “ULEZ on steroids,” and instead advocates for a transition to green gas that can be used in existing boilers.
He has argued that Britain’s transition to renewables “needs no public money,” stating that planning barriers, not finance, are the primary obstacle. He welcomed the Labour government’s 2024 decision to lift the de facto ban on onshore wind, a policy he had long criticised.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 August 1961, Great Yarmouth |
| Company Founded | Ecotricity (1995) |
| Estimated Net Worth | £107 million (2022) |
| Political Donations | > £5 million to Labour Party |
| Football Club | Owner & Chairman, Forest Green Rovers (2010-present) |
| Honours | OBE (2004) for services to the environment |
| Recent Venture | Ecojet airline (founded 2023, entered liquidation Jan 2026) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dale Vince’s main business?
Dale Vince is the founder and owner of Ecotricity, a green energy supplier that provides 100% renewable electricity and is developing biomethane gas made from grass. The company operates on a not-for-dividend model, reinvesting profits into new renewable energy generation.
Why is Forest Green Rovers famous?
Forest Green Rovers is recognised by FIFA and the United Nations as the world’s greenest football club. Under Vince’s ownership, it became the first fully vegan professional football club, uses renewable energy, and has an entirely organic pitch. It aims to build a new wooden stadium, Eco Park.
What are Dale Vince’s controversial political views?
Vince has called for “climate denial” to be criminalised, criticised airport expansion, and made comments on the Israel-Gaza conflict that led to libel cases. He is a major Labour donor but frequently critiques government policy from a green perspective.
What happened to Ecojet?
Ecojet, Vince’s venture to launch a zero-emission airline using hydrogen-derived electricity, was founded in 2023. On 20 January 2026, liquidators were appointed following a winding-up order against the company.