• The desalination project, located in Coquimbo, foresees an investment of close to $318 million and will benefit more than 540,000 people.
• The plant will have an initial production capacity of 800 liters per second, with the possibility of expanding to 1,200 liters per second.

Sacyr Water has formalized the award for the design, financing, construction, and operation of the new desalination plant in Coquimbo, located in northern Chile.

This first desalination plant for human consumption in the Coquimbo region is a project promoted by the General Directorate of Concessions of Chile’s Ministry of Public Works, aimed at guaranteeing water supply in one of the areas most affected by drought in the country.

Investment and expansion

This project is the first concessioned desalination project in the country and foresees an estimated investment of $318 million. The desalination plant will have an initial capacity of 800 liters per second (l/s), with the possibility of expansion to 1,200 l/s. It will directly benefit more than 540,000 people in the communes of La Serena and Coquimbo.

The project also includes the construction of a desalinated water pipeline of approximately 20 kilometers, pumping stations, and a regulation tank, which will allow for efficient and secure distribution of the water resource.

“This initiative represents a key step in the development of resilient and sustainable infrastructure to confront the effects of climate change and water scarcity. We are proud to be awarded this project and to contribute innovative solutions that generate a positive and long-term impact on the communities,” stated Lucas de Marcos de la Torre, Director of Sacyr Water in Chile.

Sacyr in Chile

Sacyr has been present in Chile since 1996 and has developed projects in its three key areas: Concessions, Engineering and Infrastructure, and Water. Currently, it operates five airports, 11 concessioned routes, seven hospitals in various stages of development, and five water treatment plants that cover the complete water cycle.

Furthermore, Sacyr Water operates a wastewater treatment plant and its subsequent commercialization in Antofagasta. There, pre-treated water from the existing Antofagasta plant, also operated by Sacyr Water, will be captured and conveyed to the Salar del Carmen area, where the new treatment plant will be located. This significantly improves regional sustainability indices and will create more than 500 jobs in the area.

With a presence in 14 of the country’s 16 regions, Sacyr generates more than 4,100 direct jobs, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development and the well-being of communities.