Summary:
- China has approved construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on Tibet’s Yarlung Zangbo River, set to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours annually – triple the capacity of Three Gorges Dam.
- The mega-project, costing over $34.83 billion, will harness a 2,000-meter drop over 50km of river, raising major environmental and water security concerns for downstream nations.
- India and Bangladesh have expressed serious concerns about the dam’s impact on water flow, ecosystem balance, and regional security, particularly affecting the Brahmaputra River system.
- The project aims to support China’s carbon neutrality goals while boosting Tibet’s economy, though questions remain about displacement of local populations and environmental impacts.
China has given the green light to construct the world’s largest hydropower dam along the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet, a project that promises unprecedented power generation but has sparked serious concerns from neighboring India and Bangladesh.
The mega-dam, planned for construction in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River (known as the Brahmaputra in India), is projected to generate a staggering 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This output would more than triple the current capacity of China’s Three Gorges Dam, which stands as the world’s largest hydroelectric facility.
Project Scale and Investment
The project will be situated along a dramatic 2,000-meter drop within a 50-kilometer stretch of the river, presenting both significant hydropower potential and engineering challenges. The investment is expected to surpass the 254.2 billion yuan ($34.83 billion) cost of the Three Gorges Dam.
Regional Impact and Concerns
India and Bangladesh have expressed significant alarm over the project’s potential consequences. The dam’s location near India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh has raised strategic concerns, with military experts warning about its security implications. “When China creates a massive asset like that, it will deploy air weapons systems, develop roads, new townships would come up,” noted Brigadier Arun Sahgal of the Delhi Policy Group.
Bangladesh, heavily dependent on the river’s water flow, faces particularly acute risks. Environmental experts warn of potential disruptions to water flow, sediment transport, and ecosystem balance. “In the dry season, the Brahmaputra river makes the most important contribution to Bangladesh,” stated Malik Fida Khan, executive director of the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services in Dhaka.
Environmental and Social Impact
The project could potentially displace up to 1.2 million residents living near dam projects, affecting local communities and religious sites. Chinese officials maintain that Tibet’s hydropower projects, which represent over one-third of China’s hydroelectric potential, will not significantly impact the environment or downstream water supplies.
Chinese Perspective
Chinese authorities frame the project as crucial for achieving their carbon neutrality goals while stimulating Tibet’s economy through engineering projects and job creation. The Chinese Embassy has attempted to assuage concerns, stating that any development will undergo thorough scientific planning with consideration for downstream impacts.
The dam’s construction marks another significant step in China’s hydropower expansion, though its completion date remains unspecified. As work begins, the project is set to become a critical factor in regional water security and diplomatic relations between China and its southern neighbors.
Source: TBS News
