China has greenlit the construction of the world’s largest hydroelectric dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, a project poised to surpass the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam.
The dam is expected to generate approximately 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, significantly contributing to China’s carbon neutrality goals. However, the project has raised environmental concerns and geopolitical tensions, particularly with downstream countries like India and Bangladesh, due to potential impacts on water resources and ecosystems.
The construction is anticipated to cost over a trillion yuan ($137 billion), making it one of the most expensive infrastructure projects globally. Despite assurances from Chinese authorities, neighbouring nations remain apprehensive about the dam’s implications on regional water security.
As the project progresses, it underscores the delicate balance between advancing renewable energy initiatives and addressing environmental and geopolitical challenges.