Nyingchi, Tibet Autonomous Region – China has commenced the construction of what is projected to be the world’s largest hydropower dam, located on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, July 19, 2025, marking the official launch of this ambitious project. The dam, estimated to have an annual generation capacity of 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), is poised to significantly surpass the output of the Three Gorges Dam.
Project Scope and Capacity
The colossal project, referred to as the Medog Hydropower Station or Motuo Hydropower Station, is planned to feature five cascade hydropower stations. Once completed, it is anticipated to have an installed capacity of 60 gigawatts (GW) and generate approximately 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This output is nearly three times that of the Three Gorges Dam, currently the world’s largest operational hydroelectric facility. The total investment for this mega-dam is estimated to be around 1.2 trillion yuan (approximately US$167 billion).
The dam’s strategic location capitalizes on a dramatic 2,000-meter (6,561-foot) drop in elevation within a 50-kilometer (31-mile) stretch of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, offering immense hydropower potential. This section of the river flows through the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, recognized as one of the Earth’s deepest canyon systems. The project involves excavating four 20-kilometer tunnels through the Namcha Barwa mountain to divert the river.
Strategic Importance and Energy Goals
The Yarlung Tsangpo Hydropower Project is a key component of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, which emphasizes accelerating renewable energy development and combating pollution. The electricity generated by the dam is primarily intended for external consumption, contributing to China’s broader energy security, while also meeting local power demands within Tibet. Beijing views the project as crucial for achieving its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. State media has highlighted the dam’s potential to stimulate related industries, such as engineering, and create employment opportunities in Tibet.
The Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), in partnership with the Tibet Autonomous Region government, is expected to oversee the project, with a newly established state-owned enterprise, China Yajiang Group, serving as the project owner. Commercial operations are reportedly planned to commence by 2033.
International Concerns and Environmental Impact
The announcement and commencement of the dam’s construction have drawn significant attention and concern from downstream nations, particularly India and Bangladesh. The Yarlung Tsangpo River flows into India, where it becomes the Brahmaputra River, and then into Bangladesh as the Jamuna River, serving as a critical water source for millions in these regions.
Concerns raised by India and Bangladesh revolve around potential impacts on water supply, food security, and environmental stability. There are also worries regarding population displacement and major environmental disruption in the ecologically sensitive Tibetan Plateau, an area known for its biodiversity and seismic activity. Some analysts have even raised geopolitical concerns, including the potential for “water weaponization” by China.
Despite these anxieties, Chinese officials have maintained that the project has undergone rigorous scientific evaluation and will not adversely affect the ecological environment, geological stability, or water resource rights of downstream countries. Beijing has asserted a “responsible attitude” to transboundary rivers and pledged to maintain communication with lower riparian nations. India, in response, has indicated it will monitor the situation closely and take necessary measures to protect its interests, including accelerating its own hydropower projects on the Brahmaputra.
