China Initiates Construction of Record‑Breaking Hydropower Dam in Tibet

China officially commenced work on the world’s largest hydropower dam on 19 July 2025, located on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Nyingchi region of Tibet Autonomous Region. Premier Li Qiang attended the ceremonial groundbreaking and described it as a “project of the century” that would employ advanced technologies to ensure high‑quality development.

The complex, known as the Medog (or Motuo) Hydropower Station, has been under development since approval in December 2024. The dam will consist of five cascade power stations and is expected to generate 300 billion kilowatt‑hours of electricity annually, roughly triple the output of the Three Gorges Dam. China’s investment is estimated at 1.2 trillion yuan (approximately USD 168 billion), making it one of the most expensive infrastructure ventures in modern history.

According to official reports, the dam will harness a dramatic drop of some 2,000 metres along a 50 km stretch of river that flows through the world’s deepest canyon—offering vast hydro‑energy potential but posing major engineering challenges.

Despite promises of ecological protection and economic growth, the project has sparked criticism from environmental groups and downstream nations. Experts warn that the site lies on a tectonic fault line, raising fears over seismic risks including potential earthquake‑induced landslides and rock‑flows. Notably, a magnitude‑6.8 earthquake in Tibet earlier in 2025 caused fatalities and damaged several reservoirs, underscoring regional vulnerability.

India and Bangladesh, which depend on the flow of the Yarlung Tsangpo—known as the Brahmaputra in their territories—have voiced strong objections. Officials fear the dam could be used to manipulate water flow, potentially triggering drought or flooding downstream. India has even begun planning its own hydropower schemes on the Siang River to counter potential impacts. A foreign ministry spokesman in Beijing asserted that the dam “will not have a negative impact” on ecological or water rights concerns of downstream nations.

Critics highlight that the remote Medog region is ecologically rich and home to diverse biodiversity. Concerns include disruption to habitats, displacement of Tibetan communities, and the erosion of cultural heritage sites. Human rights and environmental groups have decried the lack of local consultation and transparency in displacement plans—though no official estimates have been published on numbers affected.

According to experts, construction will require the excavation of at least four tunnels, each approximately 20 km long, through the Namcha Barwa mountain to divert the river flow for power generation.

Chinese authorities maintain that the project aligns with the nation’s goals of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Officials also emphasise job creation and regional development, dubbing it a flagship for China’s green energy drive.

As construction gets underway, international observers remain cautious. The dam represents a remarkable commitment to renewable power, yet its implications for seismic stability, transboundary water management and Tibetan rights pose profound challenges. The coming years will test whether the project proves sustainable or becomes a geopolitical flashpoint.