The power of photovoltaic systems operating in Greece more than tripled in 2011, compared with 2010, while the capacity of renewable energy sources grew by 74 pct last year, the Envrionment, Energy and Climate Change ministry said on Monday.

A report, presented by the ministry, showed that total power capacity of renewable energy sources grew by 770 MW in 2011 to surpass 2,500 MW in the year. Photovoltaic systems recorded the biggest growth rate (from 198 MW in 2010 to 626 MW in 2011, for an increase of 215 pct).

Windpower parks remained the dominant technology with a total power capacity of 1,636 MW in 2011, from 1,300 MW in 2010, while small hydroelectric power units grew by 5.0 pct to 206 MW.

The ministry stressed that energy projects, with a total power of 2,530 MW were currently in contracting process (up 185 pct from 2010), creating hopes of a rapid growth in power capacity next year, while installation licenses grew 10 pct in 2011 and production licenses rose by 51 pct over the same period.