China has greenlit the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, near the Indian border, raising geopolitical and environmental concerns in downstream nations India and Bangladesh. With an estimated cost of $137 billion, the project will surpass all other infrastructure projects globally, including China’s Three Gorges Dam.
The hydropower project, part of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, will be built along the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, the Tibetan name for the Brahmaputra. Located at a massive gorge where the river takes a U-turn into Arunachal Pradesh, the dam will exploit a vertical drop of 2,000 meters over a 50 km stretch to generate more than 300 billion kWh of electricity annually, enough to power over 300 million people.
Key highlights of the project include:
Power Generation More than three times the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam, with an installed capacity exceeding 70 million kilowatts.
Engineering Feat Requires the construction of up to six 20 km-long tunnels to divert half of the river’s flow, a task complicated by the site’s location on a tectonic plate boundary prone to earthquakes.
Concerns in Riparian States
India, which is also building a dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh, fears that China’s project could allow Beijing to control the river’s water flow, potentially creating risks of flooding or drought downstream during hostilities.
The Brahmaputra’s significance to India includes:
•Water Security: The river is a lifeline for northeastern India, supporting agriculture, biodiversity, and millions of people.
•Geopolitical Sensitivities: India and China have an Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) established in 2006 to discuss trans-border river issues, but concerns about the dam’s size and strategic implications persist.
As a downstream country heavily reliant on the Brahmaputra for irrigation and fisheries, Bangladesh fears reduced water flow during crucial agricultural seasons.
China has sought to address concerns by emphasizing the dam’s safety and ecological merits. The official statement describes it as a green project that aligns with Beijing’s carbon neutrality goals. Additional benefits outlined include:
Energy Diversification: A clean energy hub integrating hydro, solar, and wind power.
Economic Growth Expected to generate $3 billion annually for the Tibet Autonomous Region and create new jobs in engineering, logistics, and trade.
Infrastructure Development Improved electricity, water management, and transportation networks in Tibet and neighboring regions.
The project’s location on a tectonic boundary heightens concerns about earthquake risks, while its massive scale could have significant ecological effects on riverine ecosystems and communities.
Yan Zhiyong, former chairman of China’s Power Construction Corporation, defended the project as critical for national security, resource management, and international cooperation, stating that it represents more than just hydropower generation.
As China advances its ambitious hydropower project, India and Bangladesh are likely to intensify diplomatic and strategic discussions to safeguard their interests. While Beijing portrays the dam as a green energy marvel, its completion could reshape the dynamics of trans-border river management in South Asia, raising questions about equitable water sharing and regional stability.
