ENVIRONMENTAL IMPERIALISM
China begins construction of world’s largest hydropower station in Tibet
Premier Li Qiang inaugurates project in Nyingchi, southwestern China's Xizang Autonomous Region
Anadolu staff |19.07.2025 -
File photo
ANKARA
China on Saturday launched construction of what is set to become the world’s largest hydropower project, located in the remote Yarlung Zangbo River gorge in the southwestern Tibet region, according to state-run media reports.
Premier Li Qiang inaugurated the project at a groundbreaking ceremony in the city of Nyingchi in the Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region, CGTN reported.
Li called the project a "project of the century" and directed the adoption of advanced technologies, equipment, techniques, and materials to provide robust support for high-quality construction of the project.
When completed, the project is expected to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy annually, which would be three times more than the world’s largest dam, Three Gorges, also in China, with a capacity of 88.2 billion kWh.
The project consists of five cascade hydropower stations, with a total investment estimated at around 1.2 trillion yuan (about $167.8 billion), according to state-run media.
Government officials, engineers, and local residents attended the launch, reflecting the project’s national importance.
The project is expected to play a crucial role in helping China meet its climate targets, peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, according to The Global Times.
*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid
China begins construction of world’s largest hydropower station in Tibet
Premier Li Qiang inaugurates project in Nyingchi, southwestern China's Xizang Autonomous Region
Anadolu staff |19.07.2025 -
File photo
ANKARA
China on Saturday launched construction of what is set to become the world’s largest hydropower project, located in the remote Yarlung Zangbo River gorge in the southwestern Tibet region, according to state-run media reports.
Premier Li Qiang inaugurated the project at a groundbreaking ceremony in the city of Nyingchi in the Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region, CGTN reported.
Li called the project a "project of the century" and directed the adoption of advanced technologies, equipment, techniques, and materials to provide robust support for high-quality construction of the project.
When completed, the project is expected to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy annually, which would be three times more than the world’s largest dam, Three Gorges, also in China, with a capacity of 88.2 billion kWh.
The project consists of five cascade hydropower stations, with a total investment estimated at around 1.2 trillion yuan (about $167.8 billion), according to state-run media.
Government officials, engineers, and local residents attended the launch, reflecting the project’s national importance.
The project is expected to play a crucial role in helping China meet its climate targets, peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, according to The Global Times.
*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid
The massive structure will be far bigger than the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in central China and will have five cascade dams
Updated: July 19, 2025
Representational image | AI-generated imageChinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday inaugurated a $168 billion mega hydro complex on the Brahmaputra river, known as Yarlung Tsangpo in China. The massive project has raised concerns for downstream countries India and Bangladesh.
The mega-dam, Yarlung Tsangpo River Lower Reaches Hydropower Project, will be developed by the newly formed China Yajiang Group. With five cascade dams, it will be used mainly to generate power, most of which are expected to be exported to other regions.
The massive structure will be far bigger than the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in central China. In 2023, a report estimated that the mega-dam will generate over 300 billion kWh electricity annually to fulfill the requirements of 300 million people.
Saturday's ceremony was organised in Nyingchi City. The hydro complex is touted to be part of China's carbon neutrality goals and bring development in the region.
India has raised the matter with China several times in the past, including in 2023 when Beijing first announced the dam project. In March 2025, MoS for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh revealed in the Parliament that New Delhi called on Beijing to respect India's interests.
The upcoming project comes 10 years after China operationalised the $1.5 billion Zam Hydropower Station in Tibet in 2015.
While approving the project in December, Chinese Foreign Ministry said the dam would not "negatively impact" on downstream region and promised regular communication with lower riparian countries.
Environmentalists have also raised concerns about constructing such a mammoth infrastructure in one of the key biodiversity hotspots in China. The dam, which comes up in one of the rainiest parts, has stoked fears of occasional flooding.
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