A comprehensive report released by Vostock Capital UK provides an in-depth analysis of 23 flagship desalination projects across Latin America, underscoring the region's accelerating shift toward water security and sustainability. The report, titled Desalination Projects Latin America, covers initiatives in Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Brazil, with combined investments exceeding $10 billion.
Among the most significant projects is the El Abra Mill Project in Chile, valued at US $7.5 billion. Developed by Freeport-McMoRan and Codelco, this expansion includes a seawater desalination plant with a capacity of 500 liters per second, alongside a concentrator and pumping system. In the Coquimbo Region, the Ministry of Public Works is leading a US $350 million desalination plant capable of producing 1,200 l/s to supply potable water to Coquimbo and La Serena.
In Peru, the Tía María Copper Project, developed by Southern Copper Corp at a cost of US $1.8 billion, features a 235 l/s reverse osmosis desalination plant dedicated to mining operations. Mexico's Los Cabos project in Baja California Sur, a US $85 million plant with a 250 l/s capacity, aims to meet growing water demand sustainably. Brazil's Ceará Seawater Desalination Plant, a US $620 million initiative by Cagece, will supply potable water to over 720,000 people in Fortaleza, representing a key water resilience project in the semi-arid northeast.
The report also announces two exclusive technical site visits in Spain for professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in advanced desalination. The first visit, on May 13–14, will be to the AcuaMed Desalination Plant in Murcia. The second, on September 22–23, will take place at the ATL Desalination Plant in Llobregat. These visits offer firsthand insight into operating facilities and cutting-edge processes.
The projects highlighted in the report reflect a broader trend in Latin America, where desalination is increasingly viewed as a vital solution to water stress driven by mining, agriculture, and urban growth. With climate change exacerbating drought conditions, countries like Chile and Brazil are investing heavily in seawater desalination to ensure reliable water supplies. The report's findings are expected to inform investors, policymakers, and industry stakeholders about the region's growing desalination market.
