The long-anticipated Coquimbo Region Desalination Plant in Chile has reached a major milestone, with two bidders—Sacyr Aguas Chile and the PDAM Mamanchay Consortium—submitting proposals for the project’s concession. Valued at approximately $318 million (UF 8,195,000), the initiative aims to tackle the region’s persistent water shortages and will serve over 400,000 residents.
Chile’s Ministry of Public Works received the bids on October 14, with the financial proposals set to be opened on November 14. The concession will span 21 years from the plant’s provisional commissioning, and the final award is expected in early 2026.
Located in Ensenada de Panul in southern Coquimbo, the plant is part of a presidential initiative launched in January 2024 to enhance water security through public-private collaboration. Public Works Minister Jessica López emphasized the project’s significance, calling it a key step toward economic recovery and sustainable water access.
The facility will feature a seawater desalination system with an initial capacity of 800 liters per second, expandable to 1,200 liters per second. It will supply water for both domestic and multipurpose use, incorporating maritime infrastructure, reverse osmosis technology, and an 18.7-kilometer pipeline connected to storage tanks with a total capacity of 8,000 cubic meters.
Pending environmental approval, construction is projected to generate around 1,000 jobs monthly. This will be Chile’s first desalination plant developed under the concession model, marking a strategic shift in the country’s approach to water resilience amid ongoing drought conditions.
(Source: Smart Water Magazine)