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China Approves Ambitious Hydropower Project on Tibet's Yarlung Tsangpo River

InduQin

China has approved a major hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, projected to generate three times the energy of the Three Gorges Dam. With an estimated investment exceeding 1 trillion yuan (US$137 billion), this ambitious initiative faces engineering challenges due to its scale and geological complexities. Expected to produce nearly 300 billion kWh annually, it aims to enhance clean energy alongside solar and wind resources. While raising concerns in India, a study indicates potential benefits from regional cooperation among China, India, and Bangladesh.


In a groundbreaking development, China has greenlit the construction of a massive hydropower project on Tibet’s longest river, the Yarlung Tsangpo. This initiative, reported by state news agency Xinhua, has the potential to generate three times more energy than the renowned Three Gorges Dam.


The project, set to take shape in the Tibet Autonomous Region, poses significant engineering challenges due to its scale and the unique geographical features of the area. With total investments estimated to exceed 1 trillion yuan (approximately US$137 billion), this project stands to be the largest single infrastructure endeavor globally.


While specific details about the construction timeline and location remain undisclosed, the Yarlung Tsangpo River flows majestically across the Tibetan Plateau, creating the world's deepest canyon and dropping an impressive 7,667 meters (25,154 feet) before continuing into India, where it is known as the Brahmaputra River.


This ambitious dam will be situated in one of the most precipitation-rich areas of mainland China, enhancing its hydropower potential. The project is anticipated to produce nearly 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, significantly surpassing the Three Gorges Dam's output of 88.2 billion kWh.


In 2020, Yan Zhiyong, then chairman of the Power Construction Corporation of China, highlighted the region's extraordinary hydropower potential. He noted that the lower reaches of the river feature a vertical drop of 2,000 meters over a mere 50 kilometers (31 miles), representing a remarkable resource capacity of nearly 70 million kilowatts—equivalent to more than three Three Gorges Dams.


To tap into this significant hydropower source, engineers will need to construct four to six 20-kilometer-long tunnels through the Namcha Barwa mountain, allowing for a diversion of approximately 2,000 cubic meters per second of the river's flow. The project also faces geological complexities, as it is located along a tectonic plate boundary prone to earthquakes.


According to a recent report, the hydropower station is projected to generate over 300 billion kWh of electricity each year, sufficient to power more than 300 million people.


Xinhua emphasized that environmental protection will be a top priority throughout the project. "Through extensive geological exploration and technical advancements, a solid foundation has been laid for the science-based, secure and high-quality development of the project."


Moreover, this hydropower initiative is expected to complement the growth of nearby solar and wind energy resources, further enhancing the region's clean energy portfolio. "This represents a major move in China’s green and low-carbon energy transition," the report stated, adding that it plays a crucial role in the nation's strategy for achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, as well as addressing global climate change.


Originally announced in 2020, the dam project has raised concerns in India regarding its potential impact on water and food security. Some analysts worry about the possibility of China using water as a geopolitical tool. However, a 2023 study from Tsinghua University indicated that cooperation among China, India, and Bangladesh could yield mutual benefits. The researchers suggested that reservoir storage could enhance minimum water flow during dry seasons and extend navigable months for the river in India.


The study concluded that implementing a mainstream cascade hydropower system with reservoir storage could significantly boost hydropower development, improve waterway navigation, and enhance agricultural production in the Yarlung Tsangpo-Brahmaputra River basin.















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