China has officially begun construction of the world's largest hydroelectric dam. This dam is expected to surpass the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River, currently the world's largest single clean energy power station, contributing to China's efforts to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels. However, there are concerns over safety issues and local ecological destruction, as well as potential diplomatic friction with neighboring India.
According to the Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency, Li Qiang, Premier of the China State Council, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the hydroelectric dam on the 19th. The dam is planned to be built with five terraced dams along the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the southeastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region, near Nyingchi City. The project was selected as a national key project in 2021 and received approval in December 2024.
This river originates from glaciers in Tibet and flows through India and Bangladesh, with a total length of over 3,000 km. It serves as a lifeline providing drinking water, agricultural water, and electricity to 1.3 billion people in 10 Asian countries.
The river is assessed to have immense hydroelectric potential due to a section dropping abruptly over 2,000 meters above sea level within a 50 km stretch. It is expected to generate 300 billion kWh of electricity annually when the dam is completed, which is more than triple the current capacity of the Three Gorges Dam. The total project cost is expected to reach about 1.2 trillion yuan (approximately 23 trillion won). The completion is anticipated to take at least 10 years.
However, controversies are arising. According to external media, including Bloomberg News, the project faces significant safety concerns. Tibet is a high-risk area located on the Himalayan earthquake belt, and the construction of artificial reservoirs and large dams can alter the terrain and potentially trigger earthquakes. Therefore, extremely sophisticated engineering designs and safety assurances are required.
There are also serious concerns about ecological damage. According to Chinese environmental groups, the Yarlung Tsangpo Gorge, where the dam is to be built, includes a national nature reserve and is one of the most biodiverse areas in China. Environmental groups warn that the construction of the dam could lead to irrevocable ecological destruction. The Chinese government asserts that there will be no harm to downstream areas and that thorough ecological conservation measures will be implemented.
Tensions are also boiling over with India, downstream of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The river flows from the dam construction site through northeastern Arunachal Pradesh and into Bangladesh. Indian authorities have long expressed strong concerns about the dam's construction, stating that the livelihoods of millions of residents depend on this river.
According to Bloomberg News, a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India described the dam China intends to build as "monstrous," criticizing that it could be a disaster for northeastern India and Bangladesh. The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially conveyed concerns to China, urging transparent consultations and coordination with downstream countries. The two countries have experienced four years of conflict since a border clash in 2020, but recent signs indicate a thawing of relations, although some speculate that China may use the dam's water flow as a political card in the future.
As a result, calls are growing within India for the prompt commencement of the "Upper Siang Hydroelectric Project" located in Arunachal Pradesh downstream of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The state government's Minister Ojing Tashi stated, "China has already started its dam. We cannot just sit by."