The award highlights transactions that stand out for their innovation, impact and financial sophistication, recognising projects capable of delivering long-term economic, social and environmental value. In this edition, LatinFinance acknowledged a landmark financing structure that will enable the development of critical infrastructure to strengthen water security in northern Chile.
The award was received by Isabel Ortega Redondo on behalf of Sacyr Water during the LatinFinance Project & Infrastructure Finance Awards 2026 ceremony. This recognition reflects the commitment, expertise and dedication of our teams in delivering innovative solutions that generate a positive impact on sustainable water management.
Located in Antofagasta, the Salar del Carmen Water Reuse Plant represents a US$460 million investment and will become the largest water reuse facility in Latin America. The project will recover and treat wastewater to supply the mining industry, promoting a circular economy approach while reducing pressure on conventional water resources in one of the world's most water-stressed regions.
The financing, supported by BancoEstado, BTG Pactual and Banco Internacional, marks a significant milestone in the market due to the technical and financial complexity involved in structuring a water reuse project of this scale. The facility is being developed under a 35-year concession awarded by ECONSSA and will make a substantial contribution to the long-term sustainability of the Antofagasta Region.
The new plant will capture pre-treated wastewater from the existing Antofagasta treatment facility, which is also operated by Sacyr Water, and convey it to the Salar del Carmen area for advanced treatment and subsequent reuse. With a final treatment capacity of 900 litres per second, the infrastructure will include an extensive pipeline network to transport reclaimed water to industrial users across the region. The facility is expected to begin operations in 2028.
In addition to its contribution to water security and environmental sustainability, the project will generate more than 500 jobs during its development and operation phases, reinforcing its role as a strategic asset for the economic and social development of the region.
This recognition further strengthens Sacyr Water’s position as an international benchmark in the development and financing of innovative, sustainable and high-impact water infrastructure. It also underscores the company’s ability to deliver solutions that support water reuse, climate resilience and more efficient management of water resources.
Through projects such as Salar del Carmen, Sacyr Water continues to advance its commitment to developing infrastructure that helps secure water availability for future generations while creating sustainable value for communities, customers and the environment.