On Tuesday, October 14, technical and economic bids were received for the Desalination Plant Concession project in the Coquimbo Region, Chile.

This project involves an estimated investment of US$318 million and a 21-year contract period from the date of provisional commissioning. Bids were received from Sacyr Aguas Chile and the PDAM Mamanchay Consortium. 

The bidding process continues with the Opening of Economic Bids on November 14, which would allow for the project to be awarded in the first quarter of 2026.

The Desalination Plant Concession project, located in the southern part of the region, specifically in Ensenada de Panul, responds to a presidential commitment. In January 2024, it was announced that the development of this initiative would take place in a public-private partnership to address the water crisis that has affected that area of ​​the country for years.

The project involves 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 distribution pipeline leading to the tanks with a total volume of 8,000 ^m3.

During the construction phase, which can begin after the Environmental Assessment Study is processed by the DGC, the project is estimated to generate an average of 1,000 jobs per month.