Reports from the Chinese government or energy sector analyses

China Approves World's Largest Hydropower Dam on Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet, Raising Concerns in India and Bangladesh

Dec 26, 2024, 04:49 AM

China has approved the construction of what will be the world's largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet. The project, which could generate nearly 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, is expected to surpass the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam, which produces 88.2 billion kWh, by more than three times. The dam's construction is anticipated to cost over 1 trillion yuan (approximately $137 billion), making it the most expensive infrastructure project globally. The Yarlung Zangbo River, known as the Brahmaputra in India, flows across the Tibetan Plateau and into India and Bangladesh, raising concerns in these countries about potential impacts on local ecology and downstream water flow. The dam is set to play a significant role in achieving China's carbon peaking and neutrality goals, stimulate related industries, and create jobs in Tibet. The river features a dramatic vertical drop of 2,000 meters within a 50 km span, presenting unique engineering challenges. The dam will be built in one of the rainiest parts of mainland China.