China has begun the construction of what could become the world’s largest hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. The Motuo Hydropower Station, which will feature five cascade hydropower stations along the river, is expected to generate 300 million megawatt-hours of electricity annually. Chinese officials claim the project will help meet China’s carbon neutrality goals and drive economic growth in the remote Tibetan region.
The project, first announced in 2020, officially broke ground in July. It is a key part of the country’s “xidiandongsong” strategy, which sends electricity from western regions to the more populated and industrialized east. The development includes diverting part of the river through 20-kilometer tunnels drilled through the Tibetan mountains.
However, the project has sparked strong opposition from neighboring countries and environmental groups. India and Bangladesh, located downstream, have raised concerns about potential changes to the water flow. India has demanded transparency and consultation to safeguard downstream interests. Bangladesh has requested assurances from China that water flow into the Jamuna River will not be impacted. Tibetan groups and environmentalists also oppose the dam, citing potential damage to sacred sites and local ecosystems.
So far, China has pledged to respect downstream interests and insists the dam will be eco-friendly, but no binding international agreements have been made public. Beijing denies any intention to use water resources as a political tool.