Yarlung Zangbo river (Image: Getty)
has greenlit the construction of what would be the largest hydropower dam in the world on the eastern rim of the Tibetan plateau, despite concerns over displacement and its potential ecological impact.
It’s thought the major project, set to be built in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo river, could produce colossal amounts of power.
According to an estimate provided by the Power Construction Corp of in 2020, it’s expected to produce some 300 billion kWh of electricity per year, more than three times than the 88.2 billion kWh generated by the Three Gorges Dam, also in China, as per .
The project, which according to estimates by the Chongyi Water Resources bureau, could cost as much as a trillion yuan (£109.3bn), is expected to have a key role in meeting its carbon neutrality and carbon peaking targets, according to state media.
In reporting this week, Xinhua said the dam will create jobs in Tibet, and stimulate related industries including engineering.
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Yarlung Zangbo river (Image: Getty)
But India and Bangladesh have raised concerns, fearing the project could potentially alter the course of the river downstream, as per the Independent, while activists claim it is another example of Beijing exploiting Tibetan land.
has built a number of dams in areas of Tibet, which was annexed in 1950s and has been closely controlled by Beijing since.
The construction of the Three Gorges in central required resettling some 1.4 million people, and proved deeply controversial.
authorities are yet to indicate how many people would be displaced by the new project and what impacts it could have on the rich local ecosystem.
Ninong Ering, a member of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised concerns to parliament in July over the latest project, which will sit in the bordering region of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, claimed by as part of southern Tibet.
As the Yarlung Zangbo leaves Tibet, it becomes the Brahmaputra, flowing through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states and on to Bangladesh.
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The Three Gorges dam in Yichang, Hubei Province. (Image: Getty)
He warned fellow MPs that India “cannot trust” its “‘neighbour’”, going on to say that Beijing “can either divert the entire river flow drying up our Siang or release water at once causing unprecedented floods and havoc downstream”.
researchers have flagged concerns that extensive excavation and construction at the gorge would cause landslides to increase in frequency.
Part of the Yarlung Zangbo drops 2,000m within a short span of 50km (around 31 miles), meaning it promises considerable hydropower potential as well as major engineering problems to solve.
According to the reports, the dam will require the construction of at least four 12.4 mile-long tunnels through the Namcha Barwa mountain so as to divert half of the river’s flow, and is further complicated by being in an area prone to earthquakes.
But officials hydropower projects in Tibet would not have a major impact on the environment or water supplies downstream.
state media says the development is “a safe project that prioritises ecological protection”, and will boost local prosperity while contributing to Beijing’s climate goals, as per the .