Dubai-based industrial group Mark Cables has developed a 200-megawatt (MW) thermal power plant in Burkina Faso, the company said on Monday, marking one of the largest new additions to the country’s electricity generation capacity in recent years.
The project, valued at an estimated €180 million (US$213 million), was completed in just six months, the company said in a statement. Mark Cables, which operates across several African markets, said the plant is intended to help address the country’s electricity deficit and reduce reliance on imported power from neighbouring coastal states.
According to World Bank data, only around a fifth of Burkina Faso’s population currently has access to electricity. The country has historically relied heavily on imports from neighbouring countries, leaving its power supply vulnerable to regional disruptions and limiting industrial growth.
The new thermal facility is expected to provide a stable source of electricity to the national grid and strengthen energy security, supporting both residential and industrial consumers. “By providing 200 MW of additional capacity, Mark Cables offers a concrete solution to the national electricity deficit,” the company said, adding that the plant will assist government efforts to stabilise the grid and reduce dependence on energy imports.
Energy analysts said the project could also support Burkina Faso’s broader development goals, including industrialisation and increased access to reliable electricity in urban and semi-urban areas. Expanding domestic generation is seen as essential to attracting investment, boosting economic activity, and reducing energy costs in a country where electricity shortages are common.
More Read
Mark Cables said the project represents a major step in its wider strategy of investing in African energy infrastructure. The company has previously focused on power and industrial projects across the continent, aiming to combine rapid deployment with long-term operational efficiency.
The thermal plant uses conventional fossil-fuel technology, which has allowed for rapid construction and connection to the grid. Officials in Burkina Faso have highlighted the need for both immediate solutions to energy deficits and longer-term investment in renewable energy sources to balance reliability and sustainability.
Government officials have welcomed the project as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen energy independence and improve electricity coverage nationwide. In recent years, Burkina Faso has sought to diversify its energy mix and develop domestic generation capacity to reduce the economic and social impact of power shortages.
More Read
The 200 MW plant is expected to provide electricity for tens of thousands of households and key industrial facilities, contributing to economic growth and improved living standards. Analysts noted that while the facility is a short-term solution to urgent power needs, the country will continue to need investments in renewables and grid infrastructure to meet long-term demand.
Mark Cables said the project’s rapid completion was facilitated by pre-existing expertise in constructing energy infrastructure across Africa and by close coordination with local authorities and technical partners. The company plans to continue exploring similar projects in West Africa, where energy access remains limited and regional demand is growing.
Burkina Faso’s energy sector has faced challenges from limited domestic generation, security issues in some regions, and reliance on imported electricity. Projects such as the Mark Cables thermal plant are part of government strategies to increase local capacity, enhance grid stability, and encourage private-sector investment in energy infrastructure.
No details were provided regarding the fuel source for the plant, or future plans to integrate renewable energy with the facility. The company emphasised that the project is fully operational and connected to the national grid, providing an immediate boost to electricity supply.
