IDE Technologies bags Aconcagua desalination plant contract in Chile

IDE Technologies has secured an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the Aconcagua Desalination Plant located in Chile.

IDE Technologies secured the contract from Aguas Pacífico.

Aguas Pacífico CEO Enrique Cruzat said: “IDE presented the best offer both technically and economically to Aguas Pacífico, an investment vehicle of Patria Investments Infrastructure Fund, after the successful conclusion of a highly competitive international tender process for the Aconcagua Project’s EPC contract.

“Project Aconcagua is the first permanent, secure and sustainable multi-client non-continental freshwater source in Chile’s Valparaíso Region.”

As per the terms of the contract, IDE will be responsible for engineering, supply, construction and commissioning of a seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant to be located in the bay of Quintero in the Valparaíso Region of Chile.

With a production capacity of 86,400 m³/day, the desalination plant is expected to become Aconcagua basin’s first drought-proof source of freshwater.

The water from this plant will be supplied to municipal, agricultural, industrial and mining clients in the region.

IDE further added that its Aconcagua Desalination Plant will be built as per the environmental requirements and regulations in Chile.

IDE sales and marketing vice-president Miki Tramer said: “The Aconcagua award is a statement to our decades of experience, and mission to deliver superior results to our clients in the design and construction of desalination facilities in Chile.

“We look forward to partnering with Aguas Pacífico SpA in other regions of the country that will benefit from this type of multi-client desalination plant.”

IDE has been active in Chile since 1990, and its Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 desalination project is scheduled to be completed next year.

In May this year, Israel’s Finance Ministry announced IDE Technologies as the winning bidder for the construction of a $1.5bn desalination plant south of Tel Aviv.