The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) has awarded the contract for the construction of a new desalination plant in the Coquimbo Region to Sacyr Aguas S.L. The decision was formalized this Saturday following its publication in the Official Gazette.
The Spanish-based firm will be responsible for the execution, maintenance, repair, and operation of the project. This initiative represents the first project of its kind in Chile to be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Minister of Public Works Martín Arrau noted that the award represents a fundamental shift in water resource management. “This award marks a turning point in how Chile addresses its water reality,” the Secretary of State stated.
Arrau projected that the coming decade will be critical for the implementation of desalination technologies. According to the official, this resource must transition from being an exceptional solution to becoming a structural policy that ensures water security for human consumption, agricultural irrigation, and vital industrial development.
Technical Specifications
The desalination plant will be located at Panul Cove and requires an investment of US$318 million. The operational plan will span 21 years, beginning from its provisional commissioning.
The design provides for a total capacity of 1,200 liters per second, though the initial phase will operate at 800 l/s. The water will be intended for both human consumption and multipurpose use throughout the region.
The infrastructure will include maritime works and a reverse osmosis system. Additionally, an 18.7-kilometer distribution pipeline will be constructed to transport the resource.
This system will connect the plant to reservoirs with a total capacity of 8,000 m³. Minister Arrau emphasized that the MOP aims to move forward with well-designed projects and clear regulations to transform seawater into a safe and sustainable long-term resource.