China has approved the construction of what will become the world's largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. While it promises to produce three times more energy than the current largest dam, the Three Gorges Dam, the project has sparked worries about its impact on local communities, the environment, and downstream countries like India and Bangladesh.
Promises of Progress
Chinese state media describes the dam as a “safe project” that focuses on ecological protection and aims to boost local development while contributing to China’s climate goals.
Concerns About Displacement and Ecology
Critics, including human rights groups and environmental experts, warn the dam could displace Tibetan communities, damage ecosystems, and change the natural landscape of the region, known for its rich biodiversity. China has a history of controversial dam projects in Tibetan areas, which activists say exploit the land and people of a region under Beijing’s strict control since the 1950s.
In a separate protest earlier this year against the Gangtuo hydropower dam, hundreds of Tibetans were reportedly arrested, beaten, and injured. That project also faced backlash for plans to submerge villages and ancient monasteries, though Beijing claims it relocated and compensated locals.
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| The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, also known as the Yarlung Zangbo Grand canyon, is the world's deepest |
Environmental and Geopolitical Risks
The Yarlung Tsangpo dam’s construction will involve drilling massive tunnels through the Namcha Barwa mountain to redirect the river’s flow. Experts warn this could give China significant control over water supplies to India and Bangladesh, raising geopolitical tensions.
A report from the Australian-based Lowy Institute in 2020 described China’s control of Tibetan rivers as a potential “chokehold” on India’s economy. In response, India has considered building its own large dam to counteract the impact of China’s projects.
Engineering and Safety Challenges
The dam will be built in a deep, narrow gorge along an earthquake-prone area. Experts have warned of the risks of landslides and mudslides caused by the extensive excavation required. A senior engineer in 2022 noted that earthquake-induced landslides in the region could pose significant threats to the project.
Cost and Scale
The dam, China’s most ambitious hydropower project to date, is estimated to cost as much as a trillion yuan ($127 billion). The construction highlights China’s ongoing efforts to harness the Yarlung Tsangpo’s dramatic terrain, which drops 2,000 meters in just 50 kilometers, offering immense energy potential but also significant challenges.
Unanswered Questions
While Chinese authorities claim the project will have minimal environmental impact, they have not disclosed how many people might need to be relocated. The Three Gorges Dam, by comparison, displaced 1.4 million people.
As construction moves forward, concerns remain about the social, environmental, and geopolitical implications of what is set to become the largest hydropower dam in the world.
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