In a bold and forward-thinking move amid Nigeria’s persistent power challenges and rising energy costs, the Olu of Ilawo Kingdom, Oba Prof. Alexander Olusegun MacGregor has successfully transitioned his royal palace to off-grid solar power—setting a historic precedent in Egba Land.
This landmark achievement positions the Ilawo Palace as one of the first royal institutions in the region to fully embrace renewable energy, demonstrating a practical and sustainable solution to the nation’s unreliable electricity supply and escalating diesel and petrol expenses.
Prior to this transition, the palace grappled with significant energy costs, spending over ₦100,000 daily on diesel and approximately ₦2,800,000 monthly on electricity. These figures reflect a reality faced by many households and businesses across Nigeria.
Now, a new era of energy independence begins.
The state-of-the-art solar system, installed and commissioned on March 26, 2026 by HEROLINKS GLOBALTECH features 17.6kW Solar PV Array — generating clean electricity directly from sunlight during the day
Also a 30kWh Lithium Battery Bank,storing excess energy for nighttime use
The features include 12kW Hybrid Inverter ensuring stable and reliable power delivery
According to Herolinks manager, Yakubu Yunusa, Key Benefits and Impact of this feats include Freedom from unreliable grid power supply, Elimination of daily diesel expense, Efficient operation of heavy appliances during the day, Consistent and dependable electricity throughout the night
Speaking on the development, the initiative underscores the palace’s commitment to innovation, environmental sustainability, and economic prudence—offering a replicable model for communities, businesses, and institutions across Nigeria.
Work is currently underway to further scale the solar infrastructure, with the goal of achieving 100% off-grid independence, thereby completely eliminating reliance on both diesel generators and public electricity supply.
This pioneering step by the Ilawo Kingdom is not just a technological upgrade—it is a statement of leadership and a call to action for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
