UN Country Office in Nepal Switches to Solar Power

The United Nations (UN) in Nepal has switched to solar power. The new system was inaugurated on World Environment Day. According to the UN, the project was a joint initiative of four UN agencies: UNDP, WHO, FAO, and UNICEF.

Why it matters:

• Annually, the new system will allow the office to save around $26,300 on electricity bills.
• Along with that, this change will also reduce CO2 emissions from the office by 52 tons annually.

The Details:

• According to the UN office, the new system has 426 photovoltaic panels and a 204 kWh lithium storage battery. It is capable of producing 196,000 kWh yearly. That amount of electricity roughly amounts to the same amount that 1,410 Nepali citizens use in a year.
• UN Resident Coordinator and Country Representative of WFP Pippa Bradford said that this system was their commitment to sustainable energy and that they hoped to inspire organizations and individuals to take actions to achieve sustainable development goals.

Editor’s Recommendations

• Nepal’s First Large-Scale Solar Project Construction Begins
• China’s Aid in Solar Power to Help Illuminate Nepali Government Headquarters
• Solar Panel Powers Pump that Brings Water Daily to Quake-hit Households