China has commenced construction on a massive “mega dam” project along the Yarlung Zangbo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region. This ambitious undertaking involves a series of five interconnected power stations designed to harness the river’s flow through a dramatic 31-mile canyon. Upon completion in the 2030s, the facility is projected to generate an astonishing 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. The primary beneficiaries will be China’s coastal cities and industrial sectors, with a smaller allocation for Tibet’s local needs.
The Yarlung Zangbo River transforms into the Brahmaputra upon entering India, subsequently flowing into Bangladesh. Millions of people in both nations depend on this vital waterway for drinking water, agriculture, transportation, and fisheries. Concerns are mounting among experts and downstream nations regarding the potential ramifications of such a colossal dam. Analysts suggest that the scale of the project could significantly impact water availability and flow dynamics for India and Bangladesh, impacting the livelihoods of approximately 1.3 billion people.
The dam’s construction, managed by the newly formed China Yajiang Group and costing an estimated 1.2 trillion yuan, has been lauded by Chinese Premier Li Qiang as a “project of the century.” However, environmental and geological challenges are significant. The Tibetan Plateau, often called the “Third Pole,” is susceptible to climate change, with warming temperatures affecting glaciers and meltwater volumes. The dam site itself is situated in a seismically active area with unstable terrain, raising engineering and safety concerns. Furthermore, the displacement of local populations due to hydropower development in Tibet, which has already affected over 144,000 people and could impact over a million more, risks the loss of invaluable indigenous knowledge about river and slope behavior, potentially weakening early warning systems.
While China promotes the dam as a key initiative for renewable energy and achieving climate goals, replacing coal-fired power, critics point to the environmental costs. Hydropower reservoirs can inundate forests and wetlands, leading to the release of potent greenhouse gases like methane from decomposing submerged vegetation. Many argue that solar and wind energy offer cleaner alternatives with less environmental and social disruption.
The geopolitical implications are also significant. Upstream dam projects can be leveraged for political influence, raising alarms in India and Bangladesh. Despite China’s assurances of ecological responsibility and respect for regional water interests, past disputes over data sharing on shared rivers contribute to lingering caution. Both India and Bangladesh are closely monitoring the project’s progress and its potential impact on their water security, particularly during dry and flood seasons. This mega dam, situated at the confluence of energy strategy, climate policy, and regional stability, will undoubtedly shape China’s energy landscape and influence trust among its South Asian neighbors.
