#2 Raising the Stakes: China's Mega Dam Project Heightens Tensions at the Roof of the World
This post is from the Takshashila Geospatial Bulletin. Read all editions here.
Backstory
In March 2021, the 14th five-year plan for China was passed by the National People's Congress in the Chinese Parliament. The plan established quantitative targets in various areas such as economy, trade, defence, science and technology, politics, social issues, culture, the environment, and other policy priorities. Unlike previous plans, this one includes a short section on "long-range objectives for 2035". The third section of the plan focuses on building a modern energy system, which involves constructing clean energy bases across China's administrative regions. One proposed project is to build a hub of renewable energy production in Nyingchi, consisting of hydropower, offshore wind power, and solar power plants. Out of five major “Modern energy System Construction projects”, the hydropower plant in the lower region of Yarlung Tsang Po (also known as the River Brahmaputra in India) is the most ambitious. It is anticipated to produce 60,000 MW, making it a giant hydropower plant. This is three times the current capacity of the world's largest power generation plant, Three Georges Dam, located on the Yangtze River, which has a capacity of 22,500 MW. According to Chinese media sources, the Dam will be built on Yarlung Tsang Po at the Great Bend, taking a "U" turn at Medog County before entering India's Arunachal Pradesh. Reports suggest that India is concerned about China constructing such a massive dam so close to its border (just 22 kilometres away), as it could reduce the natural flow of water downstream and potentially be used as a weapon against India by creating artificial floods. Experts are concerned that the construction of the giant Dam may cause significant harm to the environment and disrupt the livelihoods of individuals residing in the downstream area of the river in northeast India and Bangladesh.
Read the full edition here.
