Sacyr Agua S.L. has submitted the most competitive financial offer in the bidding process for the development of the Desalination Plant project in the Coquimbo region of Chile. The initiative marks the first desalination plant in the country to be executed through a public-private partnership and aims to address the ongoing water shortage in the area. The project includes an estimated investment of US$318 million and a concession period of 21 years from provisional commissioning.
The financial proposals were opened on Friday, November 14, as part of the tender process for the “Desalination Plant Concession for the Coquimbo Region.” Alongside Sacyr Agua S.L., the PDAM Mamanchay Consortium—comprising “COX WATER S.L.” and “COINTER CHILE S.A.”—also submitted a bid. The final award is expected to take place during the first quarter of 2026, based on the highest score according to the established bidding criteria.
Public Works Minister Jessica López highlighted the importance of the project, noting, “The desalination plant for the Coquimbo region is a commitment by President Gabriel Boric's government to ensure water for the inhabitants of Coquimbo and La Serena. It is an important and emblematic project, the first we have developed in our country in a public-private partnership, and it will enable us to tackle the water crisis with modern and resilient infrastructure.”
Additional components of the project include maritime works, a reverse osmosis plant, and an 18.7-kilometer pipeline connected to reservoirs with a total capacity of 8,000 cubic meters
MOP Undersecretary Danilo Núñez, who attended the bid opening, stated: “After analyzing the proposals submitted, it will be possible to award a contract representing an investment of US$318 million during the first quarter of 2026, completing a cycle that has been eagerly awaited by the communities of the Coquimbo region.”
Acting Director General of Concessions Claudio Soto added: “We are very proud of the work done by our institution. We hope that, within 3.5 to 4 years, we will have the desalination plant up and running, which will strengthen the availability of water resources in an area particularly affected by drought.”
The planned facility will be located in Ensenada de Panul and will include the design, construction, and operation of a seawater desalination plant with a total capacity of 1,200 liters per second (l/s) and an initial output of 800 l/s. The water will be used for human consumption and multipurpose distribution.
Additional components of the project include maritime works, a reverse osmosis plant, and an 18.7-kilometer pipeline connected to reservoirs with a total capacity of 8,000 cubic meters. During the construction stage, which may begin once required environmental approvals are obtained, it is estimated that an average of 1,000 jobs per month will be generated.
