China approves world’s largest hydropower dam on Tibetan Plateau, raising regional concerns

China to build Tibet mega-dam that could generate 3 times more power than the Three Gorges

China has approved the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam, initiating an ambitious project on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau that may significantly impact millions of people downstream in India and Bangladesh.

The dam, planned for the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, is estimated to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, according to a 2020 report by the Power Construction Corp of China. This output would be more than triple the designed capacity of the Three Gorges Dam, currently the world’s largest hydropower facility, which produces 88.2 billion kWh annually.

Environmental and regional impact

The project, hailed by Chinese authorities, is seen as a crucial step toward achieving the country’s carbon neutrality and energy goals. It is also expected to boost related industries, stimulate economic growth, and create jobs in Tibet, as reported by the official Xinhua news agency.

However, the project presents engineering challenges due to the unique geographical features of the Yarlung Zangbo River, where the water descends dramatically by 2,000 meters within a span of just 50 kilometers. This steep drop offers substantial hydropower potential but also poses significant construction difficulties.

Costs and displacement

The dam’s construction costs, including engineering and related expenses, are expected to surpass those of the Three Gorges Dam, which cost 254.2 billion yuan ($34.83 billion). The earlier project displaced 1.4 million people and far exceeded its original budget estimate of 57 billion yuan. Chinese authorities have not disclosed how many people this new project will displace or the potential impact on Tibet’s rich and diverse local ecosystem.

Chinese officials claim that the project will not significantly affect downstream water supplies or the environment. Tibet is estimated to hold more than one-third of China’s hydropower potential, making it a strategic location for such developments.

Concerns from India and Bangladesh

India and Bangladesh, however, have raised concerns about the dam’s potential to disrupt river flow and alter the local ecology downstream. The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra River as it flows into India’s Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states before reaching Bangladesh. Changes to the river’s flow could have profound implications for agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods in these regions.

China has already begun hydropower projects on the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo and is planning additional developments upstream, further heightening regional apprehensions.

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