The Nigerian government has initiated a phased transition to solar power, starting with a solar plant at the State House Medical Centre, designed to reach a real-time output of about 7MW and a peak capacity of 40MW. This solar plant will reduce dependency on the national grid, with further installations planned for key areas like the Forest car park and banquet hall.
Solar Plant to Alleviate Energy Burden
The Nigerian government is advancing toward sustainable energy by launching a phased transition to solar power through the State House administration. This move aims to save approximately N5 billion annually on energy costs and tackle issues of unstable grid electricity, rising energy expenses, and generator maintenance costs exceeding N6 billion each year.
The solar power transition will gradually encompass key State House facilities, including the Dodan Barracks in Lagos, the State House complex in Abuja, and the State House Medical Centre. The initial phase focuses on the Medical Centre, where a 1.2MW solar plant has already begun construction.
According to Dr. Dike Obalum, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, the decision to prioritize the Medical Centre stemmed from the need to protect sensitive medical equipment from frequent power fluctuations. "The solar plant here will generate 1.2MW of power. This capacity will allow the Medical Centre to operate more independently from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company," he said.
This transition means that AEDC will serve as a support system, while the new solar infrastructure ensures uninterrupted power. Dr. Obalum emphasized that stable electricity is critical to patient care and equipment reliability. "Having a regular power supply means we can deliver uninterrupted services to our patients while preventing damage to expensive equipment due to inconsistent power supply," he added.
Blackouts, Grid Failures, and Unpaid Bills: A Power Crisis
The move towards a solar plant comes on the heels of repeated blackouts in major Nigerian cities, including Abuja, Lagos, and Kano. Last Thursday, the national grid collapsed for the 10th time in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for alternative power solutions.
For years, power instability has plagued the State House, alongside mounting financial strain from electricity costs. Earlier in 2024, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company issued a 10-day disconnection notice to 86 government agencies, including the State House, due to unpaid electricity bills totaling N47.1 billion. According to AEDC, the State House owed N923 million in outstanding electricity payments.
The State House disputed this figure, claiming that the actual debt was N342.35 million, as confirmed by AEDC in a letter to the State House Permanent Secretary in February 2024. Following this clarification, President Bola Tinubu ordered an immediate payment to settle the outstanding debt.
Solar Power Project: A Cost-Saving Solution
An official familiar with the solar project stated that switching to solar power is crucial for cutting costs, noting, "It’s simply unsustainable. We’re paying too much for power that’s unreliable, and it’s costing us heavily to run diesel-guzzling generators every day."
Set to be operational by early 2025, the State House solar project aims to cut annual energy costs from N6 billion to just 20 percent of that amount, saving about N5 billion each year while powering all appliances from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The plant will deliver a real-time output of about 7MW, with a peak capacity of 40MW, and the next phase will include installing solar components in key locations, such as the Forest car park and banquet hall, within the month.
In addition to the Medical Centre, future phases of the solar project will extend to other parts of the State House complex, aiming for a comprehensive solar-powered infrastructure by the end of the project timeline. This approach also aligns with Nigeria's broader goals for renewable energy and sustainability, reducing the carbon footprint and promoting a cleaner, more resilient energy model for government operations.
The State House solar plant project addresses immediate energy challenges while highlighting the potential for renewable energy in Nigeria, offering a path toward energy independence amidst grid failures and rising costs. Through a phased approach, this initiative minimizes disruptions, enhances cost savings, and boosts energy stability, setting a precedent for other government sectors to adopt similar sustainable energy solutions.