8th International Conference and Exhibition Desalination Latin America
18-19 March 2026, Santiago, Chile
18-19 March 2026, Santiago, Chile
International investment conference and exhibition “Desalination Latin America” is the only business platform for developing effective strategies, sharing experiences, presenting new investment projects and innovations, consolidating efforts of governments and business to implement desalination projects and to increase water supplies all over Latin America.
ANTOFAGASTA DESALINATION PLANT EXPANSION
Company: Aguas Antofagasta – EPM Group
Deadline: 2025
Estimated Investment: US $ 130 M
Expansion of the Desalination Plant Antofagasta located in the La Chimba sector of the regional capital. The project, which reaches the 130 million dollars, currently supplies Antofagasta and Mejillones and produces 1,056 liters per second. With the expansion works, the production will increase by 53%. Once the expansion of the plant comes into operation, electricity consumption will have an international environmental certification, i.e. "Clean Energy" that will replace fossil fuels, avoiding the emission of 79,300 tonnes of CO2 per year, where the utility is committed to reducing the carbon footprint in its production process.
The project is more than 62% complete and Aguas de Antofagasta is evaluating the options to reactivate its execution.
LOS CABOS, BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR
Company: CONAGUA - Oomsapas
Deadline: 2025
Estimated Investment: US $ 85 M
The project focuses on the design, construction, equipment, operation, maintenance and exploitation of a desalination plant in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, with a capacity of 250 l/s. This development will include a number of essential structures:
- Extraction of saline water by means of a direct intake from the sea.
- Water pipeline to the desalination plant.
- Desalination and purification plant that will include a pre-treatment unit, a high-pressure pumping system, membrane modules, as well as units for cleaning, maintenance and post-treatment.
- Pumping plants.
-Aqueduct.
- Tanks for water regulation and/or rejection.
- Complementary works and installations necessary for the efficient operation of the system.
DESALINATION PLANT IN THE COQUIMBO REGION
Company: Ministry of Public Works (MOP)
Deadline: 2029
Estimated Investment: US $ 300 M
The project includes the creation and management of a seawater desalination plant in the Panul area, along with the necessary infrastructures for water transport in the Coquimbo Region. Its purpose is to provide drinking water for human consumption in the communes of Coquimbo and La Serena, with the possibility of expanding to other systems in the future.
LOS CALATOS
Company: Hampton Mining Perú
Deadline: 2029
Estimated Investment: US $ 650 M
The desalination plant project is part of a mining project covering an area of 275 km2, it has been designated as a project of national interest by the Peruvian government. It is planned that seawater will be used for metallurgical processing purposes.
CRAMSA
Company: Compañía Regional de Aguas Marítimas S.A
Deadline: 2028
Estimated Investment: US $ 5 Bn
CRAMSA's "Aguas Marítimas” Project will contribute to solving the water supply needs for human consumption and industry in the communes of Antofagasta, Sierra Gorda and Calama in the Antofagasta Region. To this end, it considers the use of seawater from a catchment located in the Caleta Bolfin sector, outside the urban limit of Antofagasta, 12 kilometers south of Caleta Coloso, where a 700,000 m3/day desalination plant will be built with a seawater catchment system and an outfall for the discharge of reject water (seawater with a higher concentration of salts).
TIA MARIA COPPER MINE
Company: Southern Copper Corp
Estimated Investment: US $ 650 M
The project consists of the construction of a desalination plant that will produce 235 l/s day of desalinated water, a pumping station, water storage tanks, transport pipes, intake and outlet pipes, biochemical reaction tanks and sedimentation tanks.
Deputy Director
General Directorate of Water
Director of Studies and Public Policies
Chilean Copper Commission – Cochilco
Head of Hydraulic and Water Projects Unit
Ministry of Public Works of Chile
Director of Sustainability
Aguas Pacífico Spa
More than $20 bln are to be invested in LATAM desalination
Chile currently has 11 plants in the operation phase with a total capacity of 6,472 l/s
25+ desalination projects in Latin America: 23 desalination projects in Chile, 6 in Peru, 2 projects in Mexico
Chile is investing more than $18 bln in current desalination projects.
Chile's copper mining industry expects its water consumption to surge 66% to 24.6m3/s by 2025
The Peruvian government recently announced that it will immediately promote the construction of 6 new seawater desalination plants to expand access to drinking water in the country.
Seawater will increase its weighting in the overall supply, accounting for 36% of water used in the mining sector in 2025, compared with 9% currently
There are more than 17,000 desalination plants globally, producing 107 million cubic meters of desalinated water every day, and globally, more than 300 million people depend on desalination
35%
Owners, Presidents
25%
CEOs, CFOs, General Directors
15%
Government Representatives
10%
Directors,Deputy Directors
5%
Others
35%
Project owners
20%
Governments, regulatory bodies
15%
Investors
25%
Equipment and service providers
5%
Other
Desalination in latin america 2025: current status and projections
As a preamble to our upcoming conference and exhibition Desalination Latin America, March 14-15, 2024 in Santiago, Chile, We are pleased to share the results of the annual survey conducted by our team, which inquired about the perspectives, trends, challenges and opportunities for the desalination industry in the Latin American region.
More than 250 SENIOR EXECUTIVES attend to Desalination Latin America each year. This key platform for executive leaders of the desalination industry, brings together delegates from local and international investors, as well as government representatives, regulatory agencies, academics, project owners, and providers of technology and services.
20+ DESALINATION PROJECTS in Latin America: Chile, Peru and Mexico - ongoing and planned projects in the region.
More than 40 industry leaders and experts will present and discuss the key topics influencing the development of the industry in Latin America.
Desalination Latam Recognition Ceremony 2025: Turning Tides: Celebrating Innovation in Desalination
for a Sustainable Future!
Strategic Opening Session: THE POLICY POWER: BOOSTING DESALINATION INITIATIVES. Analysing the role of government regulations in desalination projects and key policies for growth in water-scarce regions.
Tech Innovations - The Future of Desalination: Advancements in desalination technologies, including reverse osmosis and solar solutions that enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Desalination Projects Unveiled: An in-depth look at current and upcoming desalination projects across Chile and Latin America, focusing on planning, execution, and modernization efforts.
Round Table: Addressing the Freshwater Frontier: Exploring innovative desalination methods and water management systems to meet rising demands.
Latin America Rising: A Desalination Hub: Highlighting the emergence of Chile, Mexico, and Brazil as leaders in the desalination market, showcasing new technologies and opportunities.
Strategic Planning and Operational Excellence in Desalination: Insights on process optimization and integrating cutting-edge advancements in desalination technology.
Financing the Future: Investment Strategies: Analysing public-private partnerships and innovative financing models essential for large-scale project development.
Round Table: Sustainability in Desalination: Balancing Act: Focusing on sustainable practices in desalination to minimize environmental impacts, , from energy consumption to brine management.
Ask your burning questions, ask for advice, and share your experience during and after the sessions!
20+ hours of dynamic networking! Participate in one-on-one meetings, roundtables, receptions, and interactive discussions. Don't miss the chance to exchange business cards with every attendee!
¡PRIZE DRAW among all the present attendees during the closing ceremony!
DEDICATED EXHIBITION of cutting-edge equipment and technologies for the desalination industry delivered by local and global leaders.
