Presidential Villa to Leave National Grid by March 2026 as N17bn Solar Mini-Grid Nears Finish

The Aso Rock Presidential Villa is expected to fully disconnect from Nigeria’s national electricity grid by March 2026, following the near completion and ongoing testing of its solar mini-grid project, according to State House Permanent Secretary Temitope Fashedemi.

The solar facility was completed in late 2025 and has since undergone technical trials. Officials are confident that the Villa will operate entirely on the system by the first quarter of 2026.

The project was allocated N10 billion in the 2025 budget, with an additional N7 billion provided in the 2026 appropriation to ensure full implementation. Authorities say the initiative is expected to reduce electricity expenses, curb reliance on diesel generators, and ease demand on the overstretched national grid.

Fashedemi pointed to the State House Medical Centre’s earlier transition to solar power in 2025 as a successful pilot, where battery storage and minimal grid support have sustained round-the-clock operations.

The move also aims to resolve longstanding issues of exorbitant electricity bills and suspected overbilling by distribution companies. Upon full activation, most of the Villa’s aging generators will be retired, with only a few retained for emergency use. The project is expected to set a benchmark for renewable energy adoption in public institutions.

The government says the project reflects its broader strategy to diversify energy sources, cut operational costs, and accelerate the integration of renewable energy into key national infrastructure.