(Ecofin Agency) - The Burkinabe government plans to increase its electrification rate to 45% from the current 20%, by 2020. This was announced by Paul Kaba Thiéba (photo), the Prime Minister during a parliamentary audience.

According to the official, the national energy strategy is based on three main objectives. The government plans to bridge the 50 MW electricity deficit in the national grid, an increase by 15% on a year-on-year basis.

It also wants to increase the sector’s competitiveness by lowering the cost of electricity which currently stands between CFA125 and CFA130 (about 24 cents).

Let’s recall that Burkina Faso has an installed capacity of about 350 MW and aims to build, among others, 8 solar plants totaling 100 MW, in the coming years.

Gwladys Johnson Akinocho