China has approved the construction of what will become the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River, marking a monumental step in its renewable energy ambitions. Expected to generate an estimated 300 billion kilowatt-hours annually, the dam will dwarf the output of the Three Gorges Dam, the current global leader, by more than threefold.
Located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo on the eastern Tibetan plateau, the project leverages a dramatic 2,000-meter drop over a 50-kilometer span, presenting unparalleled hydropower potential and significant engineering challenges. The venture aligns with China’s carbon neutrality goals and promises economic boosts in Tibet through job creation and industrial stimulation, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency.
However, the project has raised red flags in neighboring India and Bangladesh, where the Yarlung Zangbo flows as the Brahmaputra River. Concerns center around potential disruptions to downstream water flow, ecological impacts, and the socio-economic consequences for communities reliant on the river. While Chinese officials claim minimal environmental impact and downstream interference, skeptics remain wary given the dam’s unprecedented scale.
The project’s estimated cost is expected to surpass the 254.2 billion yuan spent on the Three Gorges Dam, which displaced 1.4 million people and faced sharp criticism for its environmental footprint. Details regarding displacement and ecological impact in Tibet remain sparse, heightening apprehensions.
As India and Bangladesh prepare to voice their concerns over potential alterations to the river’s flow and ecology, the dam underscores growing tensions over transboundary water resources. For China, this hydropower behemoth is a testament to its engineering prowess and commitment to renewable energy, but for its neighbors, it’s a looming uncertainty with potentially far-reaching consequences.