UK Space Energy Initiative: Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Review of an Offshore Rectenna in Scotland

This paper will present the results of an environmental impact assessment scoping report which was conducted to gain a professional scoping opinion on the development of a hypothetical offshore rectenna site located in the Highlands and Islands local authority region to enable space-based solar power to the UK. The construction, operational and decommissioning phases of the development will be discussed throughout the paper with a specific focus on environmental impacts. Different levels of UK and Scottish policy and legislation will be used to highlight the requirements and contribution of the development towards sustainable development. Furthermore, it will allow for a deeper understanding of how the development can aid the 78% UK emission reduction target by 2035 and the UK net-zero target by 2050. Policy covered in this scoping report includes Space Policy, Renewable Energy Policy, Climate Change Policy, Research Policy, Conservation Policy and Planning Policy. Overall, this scoping report has been prepared to address likely significant impacts that the proposed rectenna site might have on the environment. Keywords: Space Solar Power, Environmental Impact Assessment, Energy Systems, Sustainable Development, Environmental Governance