China Begins Construction of $165 Billion Motuo Dam in Tibet, World's Largest Hydropower Project
Key Takeaways
- Motuo Dam in Tibet began construction, about 60 GW capacity, estimated cost around $165–168 billion.
- Expected to generate more electricity than the Three Gorges, becoming the world's most powerful dam.
- Environmental concerns and downstream impacts threaten India, Bangladesh; fifteen thousand displaced.
China's Mega Dam
China has commenced construction of the Motuo Dam in Tibet, estimated to cost $165 billion.
“60 gigawatts, or nearly the equivalent of France's entire nuclear power capacity: China announced the start of construction of the Motuo Dam, a mega-project on the Tibetan plateau”
The dam will be three times more powerful than the Three Gorges Dam.
It will produce up to 300 billion kilowatt-hours per year and supply more than 100 million households.
The project includes five dams in cascade around the city of Nyingchi.
Construction will require displacing between 15,000 and 1.2 million people.
The dam is part of China's strategy to reduce coal dependence.
Environmental and Geopolitical Risks
The dam's location is in a seismically active and ecologically sensitive region.
Excavation work could exacerbate risks of landslides and mudflows.
India and Bangladesh have expressed alarm over water security and flood management.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister warned the dam could be used as a water bomb by China.
Environmentalists worry about irreversible impacts on biodiversity.
The project involves diverting the river's course through tunnels.
Human and Cultural Costs
Estimates of displaced people range from 15,000 to 1.2 million.
“China begins construction in Tibet of the world's largest and most controversial dam”
More than 120,000 expulsions have already occurred from 34 active dams.
The project will flood temples, monuments, and protected natural reserves.
Tibet has been under Chinese occupation for 70 years.
The dam symbolizes China's increasing willingness to undertake mega-projects.
Global Implications
The dam promises a massive increase in renewable energy capacity.
It poses substantial environmental, social, and geopolitical risks.
The project highlights tensions in transboundary resource management.
It raises questions about the sustainability of mega-dams.
The Motuo Dam will be closely watched as a test case.
More on Technology and Science
UK Covid Vaccine Rollout Was Extraordinary Feat But Trust Must Be Rebuilt
13 sources compared
Two EF-1 Tornadoes Strike Ann Arbor And Lincoln Park In Southeast Michigan
12 sources compared
Hackers Access Booking.com Customer Data Including Personal Details, Company Updates PINs
13 sources compared
NASA's Artemis II Astronauts Complete Historic 10-Day Lunar Mission Safely
16 sources compared