Chile has emerged as the anchor market for desalination in Latin America, with over $18 billion committed to projects in the country, according to industry facts released by Vostock Capital ahead of the 8th International Congress "Desalination Latin America 2026." The event is scheduled for June 17-18, 2026, in Santiago, Chile, and registration is now open.
Globally, more than 17,000 desalination plants produce approximately 107 million cubic meters of water per day, serving over 300 million people. Latin America has seen accelerating deployment, with more than $20 billion committed to desalination projects across the region. Chile represents the core of this investment, largely due to demand from the copper mining sector. The country operates 11 desalination plants with a combined capacity of 6,472 liters per second, primarily serving industrial users. Water demand from Chile's copper mining sector has increased significantly, and seawater now accounts for more than 30% of total mining water use.
The regional project pipeline includes more than 25 desalination projects under development, led by Chile and Peru. Peru is actively promoting six new seawater desalination plants to expand access to drinking water. The 8th International Congress "Desalination Latin America 2026" will bring together CEOs of leading businesses in the region's desalination sector. The event has official support from the Ministry of Mining of Chile and bronze sponsors including LG Chem, Soltex, Mining Company Curacao – MMC, and International Valve.
For more information, visit the official website: https://tinyurl.com/vostocknewsroom. The congress offers a platform for networking and discussion on the latest trends and opportunities in the Latin American desalination market.
