Latin America's Desalination Surge Anchored by Chile's Mining-Driven Investment

The desalination sector in Latin America is undergoing significant expansion, with more than $20 billion committed to projects across the region according to industry data. This investment momentum reflects accelerating deployment of desalination technology to address water scarcity challenges. Chile stands as the anchor market for this regional growth, representing the core of investment with over $18 billion committed. This substantial financial commitment is largely driven by the demands of Chile's copper mining sector, which has seen a significant increase in water requirements in recent years.

The transformation of water sourcing in Chilean mining is particularly notable, with seawater now representing more than 30% of total mining water use. This shift toward desalinated water has been accompanied by substantial infrastructure development, with Chile currently operating 11 desalination plants with a combined capacity of 6,472 liters per second. These facilities primarily serve industrial users, particularly mining operations that require reliable water sources for their processes. The country's leadership in desalination investment and implementation has positioned it as a regional hub for technological advancement and project development.

Beyond Chile, the regional project pipeline indicates continued expansion with more than 25 desalination projects under development across Latin America. Peru is emerging as another significant market, actively promoting six new seawater desalination plants to expand access to drinking water for its population. This public-sector push complements the industrial-driven growth seen in Chile and demonstrates the diverse applications of desalination technology throughout the region. The convergence of industrial needs and public water infrastructure projects creates a robust foundation for sustained sector growth.

The global context for this regional expansion is substantial, with more than 17,000 desalination plants worldwide producing around 107 million cubic meters per day and supplying water to over 300 million people. Latin America's rapid growth represents an important segment of this global industry, with Chile's mining-focused development serving as a distinctive regional model. Industry stakeholders will gather to discuss these developments at the 8th International Congress "Desalination Latin America 2026" in Santiago, where CEOs of leading businesses in the region's desalination sector will share insights on current trends and future opportunities.