China has begun building what it claims will be the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet, a project raising alarm in India and Bangladesh over its potential ecological, hydrological, and strategic consequences.
The project, part of China’s West-to-East Electricity Transfer initiative, will harness the river’s massive drop in elevation at the Great Bend before it flows into India as the Brahmaputra. Beijing says the dam will generate more than three times the power of the Three Gorges Dam.
India and Bangladesh fear the megastructure could disrupt downstream water flow, harm fragile ecosystems, and give China leverage over transboundary water resources. Environmentalists warn of irreversible damage to one of the world’s most unique river systems.
According to the Lowy Institute, China has been fast-tracking hydropower construction in Tibet to meet its climate goals and energy needs, but with little regard for regional concerns.