FG Begins N10 Billion Solar Project To Power Aso Rock

The Federal Government has begun constructing a N10 billion solar mini-grid to power the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, signaling a major shift toward renewable energy amid growing doubts over Nigeria’s failing national electricity grid.

The Guardian reports that large parts of the Villa, including the Banquet Hall parking lot, the visitors’ lot, and the lake area, are now being fitted with solar panels—clearly moving away from dependence on the national grid.

The project, listed under code ERGP202502463 in the 2025 national budget, is being handled by Julius Berger in collaboration with Bartum Energy and other renewable energy companies. Incorporated in 2016, Bartum Energy is known for promoting solar alternatives to Nigeria’s unreliable public electricity supply.

While the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s sustainability goals, it also underscores the administration’s quiet acknowledgment of the national grid’s chronic failures. Despite an installed capacity of about 14,000 megawatts, only around 4,500MW is actually delivered—leaving many homes and businesses in the dark or reliant on generators.

The solar project accounts for over 17% of Aso Rock’s capital budget, which grew from N47 billion in the proposed 2025 budget to N57 billion after legislative approval. This hefty allocation has sparked fresh debates over fiscal priorities.

Critics argue that if the government wants to lead by example in energy reform, it should start by fixing the national grid instead of powering the presidential residence off-grid while millions of Nigerians endure blackouts.

Data from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) shows that industrial firms have spent over N1 trillion on self-generated power in recent years. Households are also increasingly turning to solar and inverter systems due to rising costs of grid power, diesel, and petrol.

Nigeria’s national grid continues to suffer frequent collapses, with total generation consistently below 5,000MW—despite a population exceeding 200 million. Although the country ranks among the highest globally in off-grid energy adoption, analysts warn that the move, while practical, highlights deep-rooted issues: growing energy inequality, poor infrastructure planning, and slow grid modernization.