By: ThinkBusiness Africa
In a major move to tackle chronic energy shortages in West Africa, Dubai-based industrial giant Mark Cables FZE said on Monday that it has successfully developed a 200-megawatt (MW) thermal power plant project in Burkina Faso.
The project, valued at approximately €180 million ($213 million), was remarkably completed in just six months. This rapid deployment marks a critical milestone for the landlocked nation, where energy security has long been a hurdle for both industrial growth and humanitarian stability.
Burkina Faso currently faces one of the lowest electrification rates in the world. According to World Bank data, only about 20% of the population has access to reliable electricity. Traditionally, the country has relied heavily on power imports from neighboring coastal states like Ivory Coast and Ghana.
“By providing 200 MW of additional capacity, Mark Cables offers a concrete solution to the national electricity deficit,” the company said in a statement.
The group emphasized that the new facility will support government efforts to stabilize the national grid and reduce the fiscal burden of importing energy.
The six-month timeline is exceptionally aggressive for a project of this scale. The plant is expected to provide essential baseload power, which is necessary for: mining operations by supporting the gold mining sector, which accounts for roughly 80% of the country’s exports.
Also, reducing the frequency of “load shedding” (rolling blackouts) that plagues the capital, Ouagadougou, and strengthening infrastructure in a region currently navigating complex geopolitical and security challenges.
Headquartered in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, Mark Cables has transitioned from a specialized manufacturer of power cables and conductors into a prominent Independent Power Producer (IPP).
With existing operations in Angola, Rwanda, and South Africa, this latest project cements their position as a key player in Africa’s infrastructure landscape.
While the country is also moving toward renewable energy through initiatives like the “Desert to Power” project, this thermal installation provides the immediate, high-capacity “bridge” required to meet the nation’s urgent demands today.
