China has approved the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet. The ambitious project, estimated to produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, has sparked environmental and geopolitical concerns, particularly in downstream nations like India and Bangladesh.
Power Potential and Project Scale
The proposed dam will more than triple the capacity of China’s current largest hydropower facility, the Three Gorges Dam, which has a designed capacity of 88.2 billion kWh. The steep 2,000-meter descent of the river within a 50-kilometer stretch offers tremendous hydropower potential but poses significant engineering challenges.
The construction is also expected to surpass the Three Gorges Dam in cost. While the latter cost 254.2 billion yuan ($34.83 billion), the new project’s outlay, including engineering expenses, will likely exceed this figure.
Economic and Environmental Implications
According to the Chinese government, the project will aid in achieving carbon neutrality, stimulate related industries, and create jobs in Tibet. However, questions about its environmental impact remain unanswered.
- Displacement Concerns: No official estimate has been provided for the number of people who will be displaced.
- Ecological Impact: The Yarlung Zangbo River flows through a rich and diverse ecosystem on the Tibetan plateau. Critics argue the dam could disrupt local biodiversity.
Geopolitical Ramifications
The Yarlung Zangbo River transforms into the Brahmaputra as it flows into India and Bangladesh. Both nations have expressed concerns over the project’s potential to alter river flow and affect water resources downstream.
India’s northeastern states, particularly Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, along with Bangladesh, depend on the Brahmaputra for agriculture and livelihoods. Changes in river flow or sedimentation could have devastating consequences.
Existing and Future Projects
China has already commenced hydropower generation on the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo and plans more upstream projects. These activities have raised additional alarms about cumulative ecological and geopolitical impacts.
Conclusion
While the dam represents a monumental step in hydropower technology and carbon neutrality goals, its far-reaching implications for ecology and international relations cannot be ignored. As construction progresses, it remains to be seen how China addresses the concerns of its neighbors and the environmental challenges posed by the project.
