China has initiated the construction of what will become the world’s largest hydroelectric dam along the Yarlung Zangbo River, which flows through Tibet and into India, despite concerns raised by neighboring countries about potential impacts on millions of people.
Once completed, the dam is expected to surpass the record-breaking Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in central China and is designed to supply power primarily to Tibet and the wider region. The project includes five cascade hydroelectric dams, collectively capable of generating as much electricity annually as the entire United Kingdom consumes in a year.
Chinese authorities state that the dam will help meet the rising energy demands of Tibet and China as a whole, while minimizing effects on downstream water flow and the environment. Operations are projected to commence in the 2030s.
However, neighboring nations, particularly India and Bangladesh, have voiced serious concerns. The Yarlung Zangbo, which transforms into the Brahmaputra River as it flows into India and then Bangladesh, is a vital water resource for millions. Countries downstream worry that the dam could reduce water flow, threaten agriculture, and affect regional stability.
The construction of this massive hydroelectric project marks a significant development in China’s energy strategy, yet it also raises geopolitical tensions and environmental questions that remain to be addressed as the project progresses toward completion.
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