The United Nations in Nepal has taken a landmark step towards a renewable energy future with the installation of the solar energy system in its country office in Kathmandu.

Acting Interim UN Resident Coordinator and Country Representative of WFP Pippa Bradford, Director of Alternative Energy Promotion Centre Nawaraj Dhakal and the heads of UN agency in Nepal inaugurated the new system on World Environment Day.

According to the UN office, the newly installed system comprises 426 photovoltaic (PV) panels and a 204-kWh lithium storage battery, capable of producing 196,000-kilowatt hour (kWh) annually, which is roughly equivalent to the consumption of electricity by 1,410 Nepali citizens in a year.

The solar system powers LED lights, computers, server room equipment and printers, among others, for up to 1.44 hours autonomously and will save $26,300 on electricity bills annually.Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Bradford said, “By switching to solar and encouraging staff to use energy more efficiently, the UN in Nepal is practising what we preach. This is our commitment to sustainable energy, and we hope to inspire organisations and individuals to take action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and create a renewable energy future.”

With the move, UN House is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 52 tons annually—equivalent to 86 motorcycles taken off the roads and 260 Nepali citizens’ carbon footprint, the office said in a statement on Tuesday.The solar energy project is a joint initiative of four UN agencies: UNDP, WHO, FAO and Unicef.