China will construct the world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet

In late December, China announced that it had approved the construction of the world's largest hydropower dam on the Tibetan plateau, a huge step forward in its renewable energy ambitions.

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29 december 2024   |   10:00   |   Source: Reuters / Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Bartosz Piątek   |   Print

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China has approved the construction of the world's largest hydropower dam on the eastern rim of the Tibetan plateau. The dam, which will be constructed on the lower levels of the Yarlung Zangbo River, is estimated to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours of energy annually. This output would greatly exceed the Three Gorges Dam's capacity of 88.2 billion kWh, which is now the world's largest.

According to the official Xinhua news agency, the initiative is a significant step towards China's carbon neutrality ambitions, bolstering industries such as engineering and creating jobs in Tibet. The dam's position provides excellent hydropower potential, as the river drops 2,000 meters over a 50-kilometer stretch. However, this poses considerable engineering hurdles. The project's cost, including engineering fees, is likely to exceed that of the Three Gorges Dam, which cost 254.2 billion yuan ($34.83 billion).

Although authorities have not stated how many people will be displaced or the project's entire environmental impact, Chinese officials assert that hydropower operations in Tibet will have no substantial impact on the ecosystem or downstream water supply. The region's rivers hold more than one-third of China's hydropower potential, making it a critical resource for the country's renewable energy goals.

Despite these guarantees, India and Bangladesh have raised concerns. The Yarlung Zangbo flows as the Brahmaputra River through India's Arunachal Pradesh and Assam before reaching Bangladesh, where it is an important supply of water. Both governments are concerned that the project may affect water flow and local ecosystems downstream.

China has already initiated hydropower development in the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo and plans to expand upstream.

chiny tybet tama wodna yarlung zangbo brahmaputra

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