China has officially approved and commenced construction on a new mega-hydropower dam project on the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet, a monumental undertaking projected to generate power equivalent to approximately 38 nuclear reactors. This ambitious project, known as the Medog Hydropower Station, is set to become the world's largest hydropower facility, significantly surpassing the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam. The scale of this endeavor underscores China's strategic push towards clean energy and its aspiration to become a global "electrostate."
The Medog Hydropower Station, located at the Great Bend of the Yarlung Zangbo River in Medog County, Tibet Autonomous Region, is designed to have an installed capacity of 60 gigawatts (GW). This capacity is expected to produce an estimated 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is nearly three times the output of the Three Gorges Dam, currently the world's largest. The project, included in China's 14th Five-Year Plan, received official approval in late 2024, with an estimated investment exceeding $137 billion.
The primary motivation behind this colossal project is China's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, transitioning away from fossil fuels, and bolstering its renewable energy portfolio. As noted by Zeke Hausfather in a recent tweet, the project represents a "truly mind-boggling scale as China cements its place as the world’s first electrostate." This initiative is part of a broader strategy to integrate hydro, wind, and solar power, creating a comprehensive clean energy base.
However, the dam's construction has raised significant geopolitical and environmental concerns, particularly from downstream nations like India and Bangladesh. The Yarlung Zangbo River transforms into the Brahmaputra River upon entering India, and fears persist that China could manipulate water flow, potentially leading to "water bomb" scenarios or water scarcity. These concerns are exacerbated by the absence of formal transboundary water treaties.
Environmental experts have also highlighted the risks associated with building such a massive structure in the seismically active Himalayan region, which is prone to earthquakes and landslides. While Chinese authorities emphasize ecological protection and local prosperity, the sheer scale of excavation and construction in the deep gorge presents unique engineering challenges and potential for unforeseen environmental impacts. The project, while aiming for clean energy, balances immense power generation potential against complex regional and ecological considerations.