Greece’s wind-energy sector ended 2014 with signs of a considerable investment recovery, according to data provided by ELETAEN, the Greek Wind Energy Association.

Total wind-energy capacity installed in 2014 reached 113.9 MW, marginally lower than the figure posted for the previous year.

Beyond the installed capacity figure, a total capacity of 246.5 MW was either being developed or had been contracted by the end of the year, according to the ELETAEN data.

The combination of these two figures, totaling 360.4 MW, highlights the dynamic growth as well as the potential for further wind-park energy investment, the association noted.

Current investment activity in the sector is helping create jobs amid a crucial period for the Greek economy, while also contributing to the climate change and environmental protection emissions objective set for 2020.

The country’s overall wind-energy capacity for 2014, either commercially active or at a trial stage, amounted to 1979.8 MW, a 6.5 percent increase compared to the previous year. Of this total, 316.3 MW concerned non-interconnected islands and 1,663.5 MW concerned the interconnected system, or grid.

Mainland Greece leads the level of installed wind-energy facilities, amounting to 602.8 MW, or 30.6 percent of the total, followed by the Peloponnese with 367.95 MW (18.6%), and the eastern Macedonia-Thrace region in north and northeastern Greece, with 282.55 MW (14.3%).

In terms of company rankings, Terna Energy, ranked second last year, now heads the list with 360.4 MW (18.2%). EDF is ranked second with 322.8 MW (16.3%), Iberdrola Rokas third with 250.7 MW (12.7%), ENEL Green Power fourth with 200.5 MW (10.1%), and Ellaktor fifth with 162.9 MW (8.2%).

As for the sector’s developers, Vesta has constructed 49.1 percent of the country’s entire wind-park facilities, followed by Enercon with 23.7 percent, Siemens with 9.9 percent, Gamesa with 9 percent, and Nordex with 5.8 percent.

In 2014, Vestas developed 106.7 MW, or 57 percent, of the country’s wind-energy facilities, Enercon captured a 27.1 percent share, and Nordex 15.8 percent.

ELETAEN, in its announcement, noted that state support is crucial for the efforts being made in the sector for a stronger wind-energy presence in the country’s energy mix, which would benefit both the national economy and citizens