A major milestone for Fiji today as the Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama today launched the first ever wind generated power facility in Fiji at Butoni, Sigatoka.

Speaking at the launch, Commodore Bainimarama hailed the project as a big achievement for Fiji and highlighted that it is estimated that 12 million units of electricity will be generated from the 37 turbines which is expected to help save $3 million a year in diesel costs for the FEA.

Commodore Bainimarama also said that the completion of the FEA's project will reduce diesel generation for electricity production by 10% by 2011, compared to 51% in 2006 which cost FEA $98 million in diesel costs alone.

The interim PM said ultimately, it is expected that electricity cost to households and industry will come down.

It was also announced this afternoon that the FEA will soon call for tenders for its second biggest hydro power project after Monasavu by the end of this month called the Nadarivatu Hydro Power Project costing in excess of $150 million.