France has awarded almost €260m to five ports under the France 2030 programme to develop infrastructure for floating offshore wind projects.

Cherbourg, Brest, Nantes-Saint Nazaire, Port-la-Nouvelle and Marseille-Fos were selected to establish facilities for the manufacture, assembly and integration of floating offshore wind developments.

The French government said the projects are expected to support almost €1bn of investment in port infrastructure. The programme is also linked to France’s target of having almost 6GW of floating offshore wind capacity in operation by 2040.

The planned upgrades will cover quays, reclaimed land and access roads. The work is intended to enable the ports to handle the large components required for floating offshore wind projects.

Transport minister Philippe Tabarot said ports have a strategic role in wind power development, particularly in the offshore sector. He added that port activity can support employment, industrial value and France’s industrial and energy sovereignty.

Minister delegate for energy Maud Bregeon described floating offshore wind as one of the pillars of France’s energy strategy. She said the port investments are intended to support a competitive domestic industrial sector, create jobs and contribute to the country’s decarbonisation objectives.