Login to Continue Learning
Situated along the Yarlung Zangbo River in eastern Tibet, the multi-dam cascade will drop over 6,500 feet within just 31 miles. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, construction is expected to cost approximately $167.8 billion and will include five cascading power stations.
Described by Li as a “project of the century,” this megastructure is anticipated to begin operations in the 2030s. Beijing asserts that it will meet growing electricity needs both within Tibet and across China, while officials maintain that it will not significantly impact downstream water supplies or the environment.
Environmental and security experts have raised concerns about the project’s scale, location, and geopolitical implications. For instance, the dam could exacerbate tensions between India and China, particularly since India has expressed worries about potential manipulation of water levels by China. Some analysts view this as a potential “geopolitical weapon,” with control over the Brahmaputra’s headwaters allowing China to exert pressure or destabilize downstream economies.
Professor Y. Nithiyanandam from the Takshashila Institution in India warns that changes to the river’s natural flow could threaten water security, potentially leading to disasters and disrupting ecological balance. He also points out historical precedents, such as China’s damming of the Mekong River, which have affected downstream nations.
While Chinese officials emphasize ecological preservation and claim that the project will not significantly impact downstream regions, critics argue that it is more closely tied to China’s broader goals of reaching net-zero emissions by 2060. This project also reflects China’s strategic intent to diversify its energy sources away from fossil fuels and bolster its position in the global energy market.
Newsweek has reached out to China’s State Council for comment but received no response at the time of publication.
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
According to the passage, what is a concern raised by environmental experts about the Yarlung Zangbo River multi-dam cascade project?
Please login or register to take the quiz and earn points!
