Dubai-Based Mark Cables Delivers 200MW Thermal Power Plant to Boost Burkina Faso’s Energy Security
Burkina Faso has taken a major step toward strengthening its electricity supply and reducing reliance on imported power following the completion of a 200-megawatt thermal power plant by Dubai-based industrial group Mark Cables.
The company, which has an extensive footprint across several African markets, confirmed that the €180 million (approximately $213 million) project was successfully delivered within an impressive six-month timeframe, underscoring both technical efficiency and execution capacity, according to Reuters.
The new facility comes at a critical time for Burkina Faso’s power sector. A recent World Bank report ranks the country as the seventh least-electrified nation in Africa, with only 21.7% of the population currently having access to electricity. For years, the country has depended heavily on electricity imports from neighbouring West African states, particularly Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, which until recently supplied close to 40% of national power demand.
Mark Cables said the addition of 200 MW to the national grid is expected to significantly ease the electricity deficit, improve grid stability, and support the government’s broader agenda of enhancing energy reliability while cutting down on costly cross-border power imports. The project is also seen as a critical enabler for industrial growth, job creation, and improved service delivery across key sectors of the economy.
Renewable Energy Momentum Gathers Pace
Alongside thermal power expansion, Burkina Faso is accelerating efforts to diversify its energy mix through renewable sources. In August, the country secured €17.2 million in financing to advance a major solar power initiative aimed at expanding electricity access and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
The funding package will support the construction and operation of an 18 MWp solar power plant in Dédougou, aligning with national plans to transition toward cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. The project includes €11.2 million in debt financing from the Dutch development bank FMO through its Building Prospects Fund, complemented by a €6 million concessional contribution from the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA).
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Strategic Energy Partnerships on the Horizon
Burkina Faso is also exploring longer-term energy partnerships to secure future capacity. In March, government officials held discussions with Russia’s state-owned energy firm Rosatom on the potential development of a nuclear power project. More recently, both sides have expanded talks to include possible cooperation in renewable energy development.
Together, these initiatives signal a decisive shift in Burkina Faso’s energy strategy, combining rapid capacity expansion, diversification of power sources, and strategic international partnerships to drive economic growth, improve electricity access, and strengthen national energy security.
