Beijing – China has officially commenced construction on what is set to become the world’s largest hydropower dam, located on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in southeastern Tibet. The ambitious project, hailed by Chinese Premier Li Qiangas a cornerstone of China’s renewable energy future, marks a new chapter in the country’s push toward carbon neutrality and energy independence.
The multi-phase dam project, expected to cost approximately 1.2 trillion yuan (US $167 billion), will eventually generate an estimated 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually—more than the entire yearly electricity consumption of the United Kingdom.
The construction officially began on July 21, with five cascade stations planned along a 50-kilometre stretch of the river, where the water drops nearly 2,000 meters. The engineering feat will include tunneling through the Namcha Barwa mountain range, using four tunnels each approximately 20 kilometres long.
Chinese officials have stated the dam will play a key role in supporting the country’s energy transition goals, helping meet surging electricity demands in industrial regions, and contributing significantly to China’s 2060 net-zero emissions target.
However, the project has raised environmental and geopolitical concerns. The Yarlung Tsangpo River becomes the Brahmaputra after entering India and Bangladesh. Both countries have expressed concern that the dam may impact water flow, agriculture, and ecological balance downstream.
Environmental experts have also flagged the risks associated with building such a massive structure in a seismically active zone, warning of possible landslides and long-term ecosystem disruption in one of the world’s most biodiverse river valleys.
Despite the concerns, Chinese media reports show strong domestic support for the project, with markets reacting positively—particularly in sectors such as construction, tunneling equipment, and cement manufacturing.
Operations of the hydropower stations are expected to begin gradually during the early 2030s, subject to successful completion of core infrastructure.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.