China’s planned Yarlung Tsangpo Hydroelectric Project aims to outdo its own Three Gorges Dam, currently the world’s largest, by generating nearly three times the energy output.
However, India, which lies downstream, has raised alarms over potential impacts on its water flow and ecosystems.
Set along the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet, near the Indian border, the project is part of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan to expand renewable energy and cut pollution, as reported by New Atlas. With a strategic location harnessing the river’s steep gradient, the dam is designed to produce an impressive 300 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually—enough to power 300 million people in China.
The Yarlung Zangbo, originating from Tibet’s Angsi glacier, transforms into the Brahmaputra as it enters India. Thanks to its 7,667-meter elevation drop, it ranks among the world’s most hydropower-rich rivers. To construct the dam, China plans to drill several 20-kilometer tunnels to divert the river—a significant engineering challenge.
Currently, the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River generates 95–112 TWh annually. If completed, the Yarlung Tsangpo project would shatter that record with its projected energy output.
Indian officials worry that China’s control over the river could affect downstream regions, disrupting water access and ecosystems. While China insists extensive geological studies ensure safe construction in this earthquake-prone region, the assurances haven’t eased tensions.
Despite its grand vision, China has yet to announce a timeline for completing this colossal undertaking. If successful, the Yarlung Tsangpo Hydroelectric Project could become a game-changer in renewable energy, albeit with geopolitical ripples.
