France’s BrestPort has launched a call for expressions of interest (CEI) to invest in adapting and enhancing port infrastructure, to address the growing needs of the floating wind industry.
BrestPort is exploring three strategic scenarios to maximise its role in the development of floating wind energy.
The first is the port specialising in the fabrication and assembly of floaters for floating turbines, optimising its port infrastructure for these industrial activities.
The second scenario is as a multiservice logistics hub, with the port transforming into a versatile logistics centre, capable of managing all activities necessary for the construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms.
The final scenario would see BrestPort leasing and overseeing its facilities to specialist companies, offering maximum flexibility for various industrial activities.
This InFlow initiative is supported by the Regional Council of Brittany and Brest Metropole.
The InFloW project aligns with the regional strategy to develop an industrial wind energy sector around professional clusters, particularly BOP (Bretagne Ocean Power), BrestPort said.
The objective of this CEI is to gather analyses and expressions from stakeholders in the wind energy sector to define and combine the best industrial and logistical positioning options.
BrestPort aims to develop effective partnerships to maximise synergies and support the energy transition, it said.
Since 2016, the Regional Council of Brittany and local authorities have invested over €220m in port development, preparing the ground for floating wind energy.
The Brest polder, an industrial terminal of 40 hectares and 380 metres of quay, is at the heart of this transformation, already hosting major players like Haizea for the fabrication of wind turbine foundations.
The CEI is also part of the call for projects for ports related to floating wind, with €190m in funding for French ports from France 2030.
The responses collected will help specify future investments and establish strategic partnerships to energize the floating wind sector, BrestPort said.
For more information, please consult the CEI documents on the BrestPort and Regional Council of Brittany websites.