Peruvian government launches fast track infrastructure projects to fight El Niño

The Peruvian government launched simplified infrastructure mechanisms to prepare for the El Niño weather phenomenon.

The administration introduced OxI Exprés and emergency Servicios por Impuestos (SxI) to accelerate public works. These tools allow the private sector to fund public projects in exchange for tax credits. ProInversión reported that the government awarded 761 OxI interventions totaling S/ 10,263 million by October 22. This amount is three times the total from the same period in 2025.

Among these projects are two OxI Exprés interventions worth just over S/ 6 million to repair dikes in Ica and reinforce a canal in Cañete. Despite these figures, experts note that the SxI results are not yet visible. While 167 interventions are prioritized for SxI, including 22 for emergencies, there are currently no active selection processes for this specific modality. Experts suggest that local governments are hesitant to commit to projects before leadership changes in January.

They also recommend that ProInversión centralize the management of SxI to bypass local bureaucratic delays. The government also changed the rules so that the Contraloría General de la República intervenes during the process rather than before adjudication. This change aims to provide more transparency and security for private investors. While the current law expires on December 31, 2027, some experts worry this deadline is too short for the long reconstruction period required after an El Niño event.