The Yarlung Tsangpo hydropower project, poised to become the world’s largest dam, has ignited a debate that spans engineering marvels, environmental worries, and cross-border diplomacy. Announced recently on the Tibetan plateau, the scheme promises to generate triple the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam, stretching across Chinese and South Asian economies. This undertaking signals Beijing’s readiness to reshape regional energy geopolitics.To get more news about latest local news in china, you can citynewsservice.cn official website.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the Motuo Hydropower Station on July 19, according to state media. Located in Medog County within the Tibet Autonomous Region, the site sits in a deep canyon known as the Great Bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, where the river plunges hundreds of metres before flowing southward into India and Bangladesh.

Once complete, this 12-billion-yuan (approximately $1.7-billion) investment will surpass the Three Gorges in installed capacity and become the largest hydropower installation on the planet. Engineers plan five cascading power stations, which together could output up to 300 billion kilowatt-hours annually—roughly three times the output of China’s current record-holder.

Building in such rugged terrain demands extraordinary engineering. Reports indicate plans to drill multiple 20-kilometre tunnels through the Namcha Barwa massif to divert part of the river flow for generation, featuring Francis turbines capable of handling high-pressure flows. These subterranean passages will test the limits of modern tunneling technology.

This project exemplifies President Xi Jinping’s ‘xidiandongsong’ policy, or ‘sending western electricity eastwards,’ aimed at harnessing Tibet’s plentiful hydropower resources to fuel eastern industrial hubs. State media highlight how the project will boost local prosperity while contributing to national renewable energy targets and pollution reduction.

Environmentalists warn of flooding unique Tibetan valleys and altering ecosystems in one of the world’s most biodiverse canyons. Critics point to earthquake fault lines in the region, raising fears that dam construction could increase seismic risk. Conservationists say detailed impact assessments are needed to safeguard fragile high-altitude habitats.

In Medog and surrounding communities, residents express mixed sentiments. While many welcome the promise of improved infrastructure, jobs, and electricity, local Tibetan activists worry about displacement and cultural disruption. Past protests against smaller dams were reportedly met with crackdowns, underscoring long-standing tensions over resource development.

Downstream, Indian and Bangladeshi authorities have voiced alarm. Assam’s chief minister warned the dam could trigger a ‘water bomb,’ threatening rivers like the Siang and Brahmaputra with sudden releases. Bangladesh has formally sought more data from Beijing to assess impacts on the Jamuna and other major channels.

In response, India plans its own Siang River hydropower station to act as a buffer against abrupt water surges. The Indian project also plans to integrate flood management systems and early warning networks, reflecting a shift toward cooperative basin-wide water governance. Experts say this countermeasure could help manage flows but adds to escalating hydrodiplomacy in South Asia.

Beijing argues the dam will spur economic uplift in Tibet, creating jobs in construction, maintenance, and ancillary services. By transmitting electricity eastward, the scheme is expected to reduce reliance on coal-fired plants elsewhere, aligning with China’s broader carbon neutrality goals, even as it transforms Tibet into a key energy export region.

As work begins, the Motuo Hydropower Station stands at the intersection of ambition and caution. Its success will depend on balancing energy demands, ecological preservation, and regional water-sharing agreements. Regional dialogue between Beijing, New Delhi, and Dhaka is expected to follow, even as international environmental NGOs call for greater transparency and robust safeguards at every stage.