Introduction
Chinese Premier Li Chiang has officially announced the commencement of construction on what will become the largest hydroelectric dam globally, located in the eastern region of the Tibetan Plateau. According to Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency, the ambitious project is estimated to cost at least $170 billion. The initiation of this massive infrastructure endeavor is being seen as a robust signal of economic vitality within China’s markets.
Project Details
The dam, situated on the Yarlung Zangbo River, is projected to generate an impressive 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, mirroring the total energy consumption of the United Kingdom in 2024. However, this development has sparked concerns from neighboring countries, India and Bangladesh, who fear the dam’s potential impact on the lives of millions residing downstream.
Environmental and Societal Implications
Civil society organizations have voiced worries regarding the possible ecological risks to one of the most diverse and rich regions of the plateau. Despite these concerns, Beijing asserts that the dam will fulfill the energy needs of Tibet and broader China without significantly affecting downstream water supplies or causing environmental harm.
“A Project of the Century”
Chinese officials have dubbed the dam “the project of the century.” In his address, Premier Li emphasized the importance of ecological preservation to avert environmental damage. The dam is expected to become operational in the 2030s.
Economic Growth and Job Creation
Managed by China’s state-owned Yajiang Group, the project represents a substantial increase in public investment aimed at stimulating economic growth, as noted by Reuters. However, precise estimates regarding job creation from the dam’s construction remain undisclosed.
Historical Context and Displacement Concerns
Historically, China’s Three Gorges Dam, the country’s largest dam project before this, required nearly two decades to complete, providing employment for approximately 1 million people. However, it also led to the displacement of at least 1 million individuals. The number of people potentially displaced by the Yarlung Zangbo dam has not been officially stated by authorities.
As the Yarlung Zangbo River exits Tibet, it transforms into the Brahmaputra River, flowing through India and into Bangladesh. NGOs have cautioned that the new dam could inflict irreversible environmental damage on the Tibetan Plateau, adversely impacting millions living downstream.
