Veolia has been awarded the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) contract for the Aguas Pacífico multipurpose desalination plant located in Valparaíso, marking it as the first of its kind in Chile with a capacity of 1,000 L/s. This achievement comes ahead of five prominent national and international competitors that participated in the bidding process. With over 170 years of global experience and more than 50 years specifically in the operation and maintenance of desalination facilities, Veolia stands as a leader in ecological transformation. As the foremost authority in desalination, the company has designed and constructed 18% of the world’s total desalination capacity, showcasing its role as a standard-bearer in the sustainable management of water resources globally.
“We are extremely satisfied with the transparent and competitive nature of this bidding process, which represents a significant milestone for Aguas Pacífico. Awarding the contract to Veolia, a company renowned for its strong national and international reputation in desalination operations, instills confidence in our ability to provide our clients with a service that is efficient, safe, and sustainable, adhering to the highest environmental and social standards. This development enables us to progress in our efforts to address drought and the impacts of climate change in central Chile,” stated Javier Moreno Hueyo, General Manager of Aguas Pacífico.
Elier González, CEO of Veolia Chile and Peru, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in them: “We are honored to be selected as the operator for such a vital project as this desalination plant, positioning us as a strategic partner in enhancing water security in the central region amidst the challenges of climate change. We bring to Aguas Pacífico our extensive experience in operating and maintaining similar plants worldwide, ensuring high standards of operational efficiency and sustainability. This contract undoubtedly reinforces our GreenUp strategic plan, aimed at accelerating ecological transformation through innovative solutions in water and energy management.”
The contract initiates with a support phase for the commissioning of the plant and aqueduct, known as the start-up phase. Upon reaching operational status—producing 1,000 L/s of desalinated water and delivering it to customers in the Valparaíso Region and the Metropolitan Region—the Operation and Maintenance phase will commence for both the desalination plant and the aqueduct, including its storage facilities (tanks). Each phase is set to last up to four years, with potential contract extensions that could extend the agreement until 2040.
The operation of the Aguas Pacífico Desalination Plant will utilize 100% renewable energy, employ 60% local labor, provide water to Rural Sanitary Services (previously known as APR) in Limache and Olmué—areas impacted by drought—and incorporate advanced technologies for marine intake and outfall systems to safeguard the ocean.
Source: Veolia
