India on Edge as China Approves World's Largest Hydropower Dam

China has approved the construction of what will be the world's largest hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, near the Indian border.

Estimated to cost a staggering $137 billion, this monumental infrastructure project promises to reshape energy generation while sparking serious concerns among neighboring countries, particularly India and Bangladesh, about its potential impact on water flow, regional stability, and the environment.

The dam, set to be built on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River – the Tibetan name for the Brahmaputra – is expected to generate over 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually.

This is more than three times the 88.2 billion kWh capacity of China's Three Gorges Dam, currently the largest hydropower facility in the world. With the capacity to power 300 million people, the project is hailed as a major achievement in China's drive for carbon neutrality, providing a significant boost to its energy sector and job creation in Tibet.

Rising Concerns Over Water Flow and Regional Security

While the project promises massive economic and environmental benefits for China, it has raised alarm in downstream countries. India, which shares the Brahmaputra River with China, is particularly concerned about the dam's potential to alter water flow, disrupt ecosystems, and exacerbate flood risks. As the Brahmaputra enters India’s northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, it plays a vital role in the livelihoods of millions.

India fears that the dam would give China unprecedented control over the river’s water flow, with implications for agriculture, water supply, and flood management in the region.

Furthermore, the sheer scale of the project poses a significant risk of flooding in border areas, particularly in times of heightened geopolitical tensions. India is already constructing its own dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh, and discussions have been ongoing with China through the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) to share hydrological data, particularly during flood seasons.

Engineering Challenges and Environmental Impact

The dam’s construction faces daunting challenges due to the site’s location in a seismically active region. The Tibetan plateau, sitting atop tectonic plates, experiences frequent earthquakes, adding a layer of complexity to the project. The Yarlung Zangbo River, known for creating the world’s deepest canyon, plunges over 2,000 meters in just 50 kilometers, creating both immense hydropower potential and formidable engineering hurdles.

Despite these challenges, Chinese officials are confident in the project's safety and have emphasized extensive geological studies to ensure its security. The development is expected to involve drilling multiple tunnels through the Namcha Barwa mountains to divert half of the river’s flow, a process requiring cutting-edge engineering expertise.

The dam is projected to generate $3 billion annually in revenue for the Tibet Autonomous Region, making it not just an energy project but also a critical component of China’s broader national security and economic strategy.

Impact on India and Bangladesh: A Shared Resource at Risk

The Brahmaputra River, which flows from Tibet through India and into Bangladesh, is an essential water source for millions in the region. While China has claimed that the hydropower projects in Tibet will not significantly impact downstream water supplies, both India and Bangladesh have raised alarms over potential disruptions to the river’s flow and ecosystem.

In India, the construction of this massive dam is seen as a direct challenge to its sovereignty over shared water resources. The strategic importance of the Brahmaputra for agriculture, drinking water, and energy generation cannot be overstated. Bangladesh, which lies at the river's delta, is equally vulnerable to shifts in water flow and sediment deposits that could affect its agriculture and flood management systems.

A Strategic Move in China’s Pursuit of Energy Dominance

China's push for hydropower development on the Yarlung Zangbo is part of its larger strategy to meet carbon neutrality goals and secure a dominant position in the global energy market. The dam's enormous capacity to produce energy, combined with the region's vast hydropower potential, represents a massive leap forward in China’s quest for sustainable energy.

However, the approval of this dam has undoubtedly intensified regional tensions. The project is not only an engineering marvel but a geopolitical lever that could reshape the dynamics of water-sharing agreements in the region, leaving neighboring countries wary of China's growing influence over shared rivers.

As China forges ahead with this ambitious project, the implications for India, Bangladesh, and the wider South Asian region remain uncertain. The Brahmaputra Dam could redefine the landscape of energy production, but its environmental, political, and social impacts are likely to reverberate far beyond the Tibetan plateau.