China has approved the construction of what is set to be the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, near the Indian border.
With an estimated cost of $137 billion, the massive infrastructure project has sparked concerns in downstream nations, including India and Bangladesh, about its potential effects on water flow and regional stability.
The total investment in the dam could exceed one trillion yuan | PTI
According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency on Wednesday, the Chinese government has authorized the development of a hydropower plant on the lower section of the Yarlung Zangbo River, the Tibetan name for the Brahmaputra.
The project’s total investment could exceed one trillion yuan ($137 billion), making it the most expensive infrastructure undertaking globally, surpassing even China’s Three Gorges Dam, which is currently the world’s largest, as noted by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.
Where will the dam be constructed?
The dam is set to be built at a vast gorge in the Himalayan region, where the Brahmaputra River takes a sharp U-turn before entering Arunachal Pradesh and flowing into Bangladesh.
What will be the impact of the Brahmaputra Dam on India?
India has expressed concerns about the dam, citing its potential to give China control over the river’s water flow and the risk of flooding border regions by releasing large volumes of water during potential conflicts, given its enormous size and scale, as reported by news agency PTI.
India is also building its own dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh. In 2006, India and China established the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) to address various issues concerning trans-border rivers, under which China shares hydrological data on the Brahmaputra and Sutlej rivers with India during flood seasons.
Discussions on data sharing for trans-border rivers took place between Indian NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi during their Special Representatives meeting on December 18.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the Special Representatives "provided positive directions for cross-border cooperation and exchanges," including the sharing of data on trans-border rivers.
What challenges are faced in construction?
The construction of the Brahmaputra dam encounters significant engineering challenges because of its position on a tectonic plate boundary that is highly susceptible to earthquakes. The Tibetan Plateau is prone to frequent seismic activity due to its location above tectonic plates.
The Brahmaputra River traverses the Tibetan Plateau, creating the world's deepest canyon, with an incredible vertical drop of 25,154 feet before it enters India, according to the Post report.
The dam's construction site is located in mainland China’s region with the heaviest rainfall, guaranteeing a substantial water flow.
Yarlung Tsangpo: A Hub of Exceptional Hydropower Potential
On Wednesday, an official statement was released to address concerns about the earthquake, emphasizing the safety measures and environmental protections of the hydropower project.
The statement pointed out that thorough geological surveys and technological innovations have laid a solid foundation for the project's development, ensuring it is scientifically grounded, secure, and of high quality.
Back in 2020, Yan Zhiyong, the former chairman of Power Construction Corporation of China, referred to the Yarlung Tsangpo region as being exceptionally abundant in hydropower potential.
"The lower reaches area features a vertical drop of 2,000 metres over a 50km distance, representing nearly 70 million kilowatts of resources that could be developed - that is more than three Three Gorges Dams with an installed capacity of 22.5 million kilowatts," the Post quoted.
Hydropower to Generate Electricity for 300 Million
A 2023 assessment reveals that the hydropower facility is expected to generate over 300 billion kWh of electricity annually, enough to meet the yearly consumption of 300 million people.
To harness the river's hydropower potential, the project plans to drill four to six tunnels, each about 20 km in length, through the Namcha Barwa mountain to divert half of the river's flow, which is estimated to be around 2,000 cubic meters per second, according to the report cited by news agency PTI.
Yan stressed that the hydropower project on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River is not merely an energy initiative. It has significant implications for environmental protection, national security, living standards, energy needs, and promoting international cooperation.
"It is a project for national security, including water resources and domestic security," He mentioned that the project will also enhance cooperation with South Asia. He pointed out that the hydropower station could generate 20 billion yuan ($3 billion) in annual revenue for the Tibet Autonomous Region.
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