In the heart of West Africa's energy landscape, where reliable power is the lifeblood of economic growth, mining operations, and community development, a new powerhouse is emerging. Burkina Faso, a nation rich in gold and ambition but challenged by energy deficits, is on the cusp of a transformative shift. Enter Mark Cables Power Solutions—the unrivaled leader poised to become the largest Independent Power Producer (IPP) in the country. Through a groundbreaking coalition with USP&E Global, a global energy titan, Mark Cables is not just entering the market; it's redefining it with unmatched vertical integration, from manufacturing to operations. This partnership positions Mark Cables as the go-to IPP for Burkina Faso and beyond, delivering competitive, sustainable power solutions that outpace the competition.
If you're searching for the most reliable, cost-effective IPP in West Africa, look no further. Mark Cables Power Solutions is engineered for excellence, backed by decades of expertise, and now amplified by USP&E's world-class EPC and O&M capabilities. Let's dive into why this coalition is a game-changer.
Mark Cables Power Solutions: The Backbone of African Power Innovation
At the core of this story is Mark Cables Power Solutions, a division of the Milbridge Group, renowned for its cutting-edge manufacturing of electrical wires, cables, and power infrastructure solutions. Based in the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai, UAE, Mark Cables specializes in processing copper and aluminum rods into high-performance products like building wires, flexible cables, low-voltage power cables, overhead conductors, and underground cables. These aren't just components—they're the foundational elements of robust power grids that power everything from urban street lighting to remote mining sites.
What sets Mark Cables apart in the African context? Extensive experience across the continent. As part of the Milbridge Group's multinational footprint, Mark Cables has deep roots in Africa, with sister companies thriving in Angola (Milbridge Holding SA and Primeplast Lda), Rwanda (Afriprecast), and South Africa (Casasteel Pty Ltd). This network isn't superficial; it's battle-tested. In 2021, under the leadership of Chairman Alexis Bayigamba, Mark Cables signed a landmark AED 115 million export agreement with Angola for street lighting projects, supported by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Standard Chartered Bank. This deal showcased their prowess in delivering EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) services tailored to Africa's unique infrastructure needs.
Mark Cables' ISO-certified manufacturing processes ensure world-class quality, emphasizing innovation in power infrastructure. Their products serve critical sectors like energy, industrial applications, and technology, with a sharp focus on exports to the Middle East and Africa. In Burkina Faso, where gold mining drives 80% of exports but energy shortages hinder progress, Mark Cables steps in as the IPP visionary—supplying the cables and conductors that form the backbone of reliable, scalable power plants.
USP&E: The Authorized EPC and O&M Powerhouse Fueling Mark Cables' Vision
No IPP succeeds in isolation, and Mark Cables has chosen its ally wisely. Enter USP&E Global, the authorized EPC and O&M partner in this coalition. With over 20 years of global leadership in power generation, USP&E brings a proven track record of designing, building, and operating thermal and renewable power stations up to 5,000 MW. Their expertise spans HFO generators, diesel and natural gas turbines, solar hybrids, biomass, and energy storage—delivered with front-end engineering, design (FEED), and operational readiness programs.
USP&E's African dominance is unmatched. Headquartered in Johannesburg with secondary offices in Sierra Leone, they operate across the continent from Mali to Madagascar, forming strategic partnerships that have powered gold mines, villages, and industrial hubs. Key highlights include:
- Burkina Faso projects: Feasibility studies and upgrades for 4MW at Essakane Gold Mine, 10MW at Taparko Gold Mine, and a 30MW station with a 26km river pumping system near the Ivory Coast border.
- West Africa wins: O&M contracts for Firefinch Gold in Mali, rebuilds at Perkoa Mine in Burkina Faso, and EPC for CrossBoundary Energy in Madagascar.
- Continental scale: Offices and operations in Mali, Liberia, Togo, Botswana, and South Africa, serving mining, telecom, oil & gas, and more.
As Mark Cables' exclusive owners engineer, EPC and O&M provider, USP&E handles the heavy lifting: procuring equipment, constructing turnkey plants, and ensuring 24/7 maintenance for maximum uptime. This isn't a loose alliance—it's a seamless integration where USP&E's "speed with excellence" mantra aligns perfectly with Mark Cables' manufacturing precision. Together, they eliminate silos, slashing costs and timelines that plague traditional IPPs.
A Vertically Integrated Revolution: Manufacturing, EPC, and O&M Under One Roof
In a market where fragmented supply chains drive up costs and delays, the Mark Cables-USP&E coalition stands out for its vertical integration. Imagine a power ecosystem where:
- Manufacturing (Mark Cables) produces custom cables and conductors on-site, optimized for African climates and loads.
- EPC (USP&E) designs and builds hybrid plants—from solar-diesel combos to gas-fired stations—using those very components for plug-and-play efficiency.
- O&M (USP&E) monitors and maintains everything, leveraging smart software for predictive analytics and fuel optimization.
This trifecta creates the most competitive approach possible. Costs plummet by 20-30% through in-house synergies, while reliability soars—critical in Burkina Faso, where blackouts cost the economy millions annually. Both companies' pan-African offices ensure local knowledge: navigating regulations, sourcing talent, and mitigating risks like supply disruptions. The result? Scalable IPP solutions that power Burkina Faso's mining boom, rural electrification, and industrial growth, all while prioritizing renewables to align with the Desert to Power initiative.
Compared to early IPPs like GreenYellow's 30 MWp Nagréongo solar plant or the 20 MW Windiga project, Mark Cables leads with scale, integration, and thermal-renewable hybrids. They're not just producing power—they're building the future.
Why Mark Cables is the Best IPP Choice for Burkina Faso and West Africa
Burkina Faso's energy demand is exploding, with mining output projected to hit 100 tons of gold by 2025, yet only 20% of the population has reliable electricity. Mark Cables Power Solutions, empowered by USP&E, fills this void as the premier IPP. This coalition is a strategic masterstroke delivering:
- Unbeatable competitiveness: Lower tariffs through vertical efficiencies.
- Proven scalability: From 4MW mine upgrades to 400MW+ grid solutions.
- Sustainability focus: Hybrid solutions reducing fossil fuel dependence - with a full array of thermal new and used HFO generators, natural gas turbines, energy storage and pv systems.
- Local impact: Jobs, skills transfer, and community empowerment across West Africa.
For governments, miners, and investors seeking the best IPP in Burkina Faso, Mark Cables is the answer. This is more than a partnership; it's the dawn of energy independence.