China’s Massive Brahmaputra Dam Project

China has recently approved the construction of a massive hydropower project on the Brahmaputra River (known as the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet). This dam, set to be the world's largest infrastructure project, is expected to cost around $137 billion, making it bigger than any other global project, including China's own Three Gorges Dam. The project has been approved as part of China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), with further plans outlined until 2035.

Key Details of the Dam:

• Location: The dam will be built in the Tibetan region, in a gorge where the Brahmaputra River makes a significant turn before flowing into India’s Arunachal Pradesh and later Bangladesh.
• Investment: The dam will cost over 1 trillion yuan (approx. $137 billion), and it will be the largest infrastructure project globally.
• Capacity: The dam will generate over 300 billion kWh of electricity annually, which is enough to meet the electricity needs of more than 300 million people.
• Environmental Importance: This hydropower project is part of China’s push for clean energy (hydropower, solar, and wind), aimed at addressing carbon neutrality and climate change.
• Economic and Strategic Importance:
• Energy Generation: The project will provide substantial power, contributing to China’s green energy It will also boost the economy of Tibet and improve infrastructure like electricity, water management, and transportation in the region.
• Regional Cooperation: China emphasizes that the dam will not only support national security but also enhance cooperation with South Asia by ensuring energy stability.
• Impact on Local Industries: The project is expected to generate significant income for Tibet (around $3 billion annually) and create jobs, especially in engineering, logistics, and trade

Concerns for India and Bangladesh:

• Water Control: The project could give China significant control over the Brahmaputra River, which flows through India and Bangladesh, causing fears of potential water shortages or floods, especially in times of tension.
• Flood Risk: The size of the dam could also allow China to release large amounts of water downstream, potentially flooding areas along India’s border, especially in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Data Sharing: India and China have an existing Expert Level Mechanism (ELM), under which China shares hydrological data on the Brahmaputra during the flood season. There are concerns that China might reduce or control this data sharing to its advantage.
• Geopolitics: While China presents the project as a green initiative for clean energy and regional development, the dam raises significant concerns for India and Bangladesh, primarily due to its potential impact on water security and regional geopolitics.

Challenges and Engineering Feats:

• Seismic Concerns: The region is located on a tectonic plate boundary, making it prone to earthquakes. However, China assures that the project will be built with extensive geological studies and advanced engineering to ensure safety and ecological protection.
• Engineering Complexity: The project site has a vertical drop of 2,000 meters over just 50 kilometers of river, which makes it one of the world’s most hydropower-rich areas. To harness this energy, the project involves drilling four to six 20 km tunnels through the Namcha Barwa mountain to divert half of the river’s flow.