The General Directorate of Concessions (DGC) of the Ministry of Public Works announced that the deadlines for receiving bids for the Desalination Plant Concession project for the Coquimbo region will be extended, which involves an estimated investment of USD 350 million.

The Coquimbo Region Desalination Plant Concession project is located in the southern sector of the region, specifically in the Panul Inlet, and includes the design, construction, and operation of a seawater desalination plant with a total capacity of 1,200 l/s and an initial operating capacity of 800 l/s, intended for human consumption and multipurpose purposes. The initiative includes marine works, the reverse osmosis desalination plant, and the 18.7 km long distribution pipeline leading to the 8,000 m3 tanks. 

A presidential priority, it attracted significant interest with over 50 base purchases and inquiries from 19 companies since the December 2024 tender call. To ensure robust participation, the DGC extended the bidding deadlines following requests from six bidding groups, moving the receipt of technical and economic offers to September 23, 2025, and the opening of economic offers to October 24, 2025, a 10-day extension. This aligns with the DGC’s commitment to transparent, sustainable public-private partnerships, strengthening Chile’s 30-year concession system.