Veolia has been awarded the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) contract for the Aguas Pacífico multipurpose desalination facility 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 firms that participated in the bidding process. Veolia, a leader in ecological transformation, boasts over 170 years of global experience and more than 50 years of specialization in the operation and maintenance of desalination facilities. As the foremost authority in desalination, Veolia has engineered and constructed 18% of the world’s installed desalination capacity through its technologies, reinforcing its status as a leader 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 firm with a solid national and international reputation in desalination plant operations, instills confidence in our ability to provide our clients with an efficient, safe, and sustainable service, adhering to the highest environmental and social standards. This advancement enables us to progress in our mission to combat 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, remarked: “We at Veolia are profoundly appreciative of the trust bestowed upon us by being chosen to manage such a vital project as this desalination plant, thereby establishing ourselves 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 the operation and maintenance of similar plants worldwide, ensuring high levels of operational efficiency and sustainability. This contract undoubtedly bolsters our GreenUp strategic plan, aimed at accelerating ecological transformation through innovative solutions—particularly in water and energy management.”
The contract initiates with a support phase for the commissioning of the plant and the aqueduct, known as the start-up phase. Once operational conditions are met—producing 1,000 L/s of desalinated water and distributing it to final customers within the Valparaíso Region and the Metropolitan Region—the Operation and Maintenance phase commences for both the desalination plant and the aqueduct along with its storage facilities (tanks). Each phase is set to last up to four years, after which extension clauses may apply, potentially prolonging the contract until 2040.
The operation of the Aguas Pacífico Desalination Plant will utilize 100% renewable energy, employ 60% local labor, supply water to Rural Sanitary Services (formerly APR) in Limache and Olmué affected by drought, and implement the most advanced technologies in marine intake and outfall systems to safeguard the ocean.
Source: Veolia
