Latest news with #ThreeGorgesDam
ABC News
an hour ago
- Business
- ABC News
China begins construction of Tibet mega-dam
China has begun construction of the world's largest hydro-electric dam along a river which runs through Tibet and India, despite concerns from its neighbours that millions of people could be negatively impacted by it. Once built, the dam could dwarf the record-breaking Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in central China and is expected to power the Tibetan region. It is planned to have five cascade hydro-electric dams, which together would generate as much energy annually as the United Kingdom consumes in a single year. Beijing has said the dam will help meet power demand in Tibet and the rest of China without having a major effect on downstream water supplies or the environment. Operations are expected sometime in the 2030s. But the governments of India and Bangladesh have expressed concerns about the project. The waterway being dammed, the Yarlung Zangbo, becomes the Brahmaputra River as it leaves Tibet and flows south into India and finally into Bangladesh. Non-government organisations say the dam will irreversibly harm the Tibetan Plateau and hit millions of people downstream. The chief minister of India's Arunachal Pradesh state, Pema Khandu, said earlier this year that such a colossal dam barely 50 kilometres from the border could dry out 80 per cent of the river passing as it passes through the region. Mr Handu also warned that the dam could potentially inundate downstream areas in Arunachal and neighbouring Assam state. India's foreign ministry in January said it had raised concerns with China about the project in Tibet, saying it will "monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests". China has meanwhile insisted the dam would not have any downstream impacts and would work closely with its neighbours. At the official event marking the start of construction on Saturday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang described the dam as a "project of the century". He added that special emphasis "must be placed on ecological conservation to prevent environmental damage," China's Xinhua news agency reported. Despite the potential for regional tensions, a number of Chinese companies in the construction sector saw their share prices rise on Monday. Government bond yields also rose across the board on Monday, with the most-traded 30-year treasury futures CTLU5 falling to five-week lows, as investors interpreted the news as part of China's economic stimulus. The project, overseen by the newly formed state-owned China Yajiang Group, marks a major boost in public investment to help bolster economic growth as current drivers show signs of faltering. "Assuming 10 years of construction, the investment/GDP boost could reach 120 billion yuan (AU$25 billion) for a single year," global bank Citi said in a note. "The actual economic benefits could go beyond that." Reuters/AFP
Bloomberg
5 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Why China's $167 Billion Mega-Dam Project In Tibet Is So Controversial
China has started construction of the world's biggest hydroelectric dam, a project that's set to be far larger than the Three Gorges Dam — already the world's biggest single source of green power — and more expensive than the International Space Station. The colossal undertaking in the mountainous region of Tibet is set to cost around 1.2 trillion yuan ($167 billion), could take at least a decade to complete and would boost China's output of clean energy. It will also stir controversy over the potential impact on the local environment, and could further strain relations with its downstream neighbor, India.
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
China embarks on world's largest hydropower dam, capital markets cheer
The Three Gorges Dam, which took almost two decades to complete, generated nearly a million jobs. (EPA Images pic) HONG KONG : China's Premier Li Qiang announced construction had begun on what will be the world's largest hydropower dam, on the eastern rim of the Tibetan Plateau, at an estimated cost of at least US$170 billion, the official Xinhua news agency said. Commencement of the dam, China's most ambitious hydropower project since the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze, was seized by Chinese markets as proof of economic stimulus, sending stock prices and bond yields higher today. Made up of five cascade hydropower stations with the capacity to produce 300 billion kWh of electricity annually, equal to the amount of electricity consumed by Britain last year, the dam will be located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo. A section of the river falls 2,000m within a span of 50km, offering huge hydropower potential. India and Bangladesh have already raised concerns about its possible impact on the millions of people downstream, while non-governmental organisations (NGOs) warned of the risk to one of the richest and most diverse environments on the plateau. Beijing has said the dam will help meet power demand in Tibet and the rest of China without having a major effect on downstream water supplies or the environment. Operations are expected sometime in the 2030s. China's CSI Construction & Engineering Index jumped as much as 4% to a seven-month high. Power Construction Corporation of China and Arcplus Group PLC surged by their 10% daily limit. 'From an investment perspective, mature hydropower projects offer bond-like dividends,' Wang Zhuo, partner of Shanghai Zhuozhu Investment Management said, while cautioning that speculative buying into related stocks would inflate valuations. 'The project will drive demand for construction and building materials such as cement and civil explosives,' Huatai Securities said in a note to clients. Shares of Beijing-listed Hunan Wuxin Tunnel Intelligent Equipment Co, which sells tunnel construction equipment, surged 30%. So did shares of Geokang Technologies Co Ltd, which makes intelligent monitoring terminals. Cement maker Xizang Tianlu Co Ltd and Tibet GaoZheng Explosive Co, producer of civil explosive materials, both jumped their maximum 10%. Broader impact The Chinese premier described the dam as a 'project of the century' and said special emphasis 'must be placed on ecological conservation to prevent environmental damage,' Xinhua said on Saturday. Government bond yields rose across the board today, with the most-traded 30-year treasury futures falling to five-week lows, as investors interpreted the news as part of China's economic stimulus. The project, overseen by the newly formed state-owned China Yajiang Group, marks a major boost in public investment to help bolster economic growth as current drivers show signs of faltering. 'Assuming 10 years of construction, the investment/GDP boost could reach ¥120 billion (US$16.7 billion) for a single year,' said Citi in a note. 'The actual economic benefits could go beyond that,' Citi added. China has not given an estimate on the number of jobs the project could create. The Three Gorges, which took almost two decades to complete, generated nearly a million jobs, state media reported, though it displaced at least a similar number of people. Authorities have not indicated how many people would be displaced by the Yarlung Zangbo project. NGOs say the dam will irreversibly harm the Tibetan Plateau and hit millions of people downstream. The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra River as it leaves Tibet and flows south into India and finally into Bangladesh.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
China starts work on world's largest 300 billion kWh hydro-power dam in Tibet
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has announced the formal launch of a massive hydroelectric project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. To mark the occasion, a groundbreaking ceremony took place on July 19, 2025, in the southeastern Tibetan city of Nyingchi near the Indian border. According to reports, the project is expected to be the world's largest hydro-power facility upon completion, with a projected annual electricity output of 300 billion kilowatt-hours. That's around three times the capacity of China's existing Three Gorges Dam. The Yarlung Tsangpo River originates on the Tibetan Plateau and becomes the Brahmaputra River as it flows into India's northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam before continuing into Bangladesh. Owing to the trans-boundary nature of the river, China's move has raised concerns in both India and Bangladesh regarding the downstream effects of the project. Particularly in terms of water availability, agricultural impact, and environmental disruption. Dam to have 5 cascade hydro-power stations Beijing had originally proposed the project as part of its 14th Five-Year Plan in 2020, with a formal approval being granted in late 2024. According to reports, the dam will consist of five cascade hydro-power stations, requiring a total estimated investment of 1.2 trillion yuan (approximately $167 billion). The primary purpose of the project is to generate electricity for external markets, though it is also expected to meet some local energy needs in Tibet. In a bid to quell regional anxiety, China has stated that the project has already been subject to comprehensive scientific assessment to ensure it would not negatively impact downstream ecosystems, geological stability, or the water rights of neighboring countries. The Chinese foreign ministry has also been quick to point out that the dam will contribute to disaster prevention, climate change adaptation, and regional energy cooperation. The ministry further stated that the dam project will not be used for political leverage. Despite these promises, concerns persist in India and Bangladesh. Analysts and officials worry about the potential for China to manipulate river flow during times of political tension, possibly causing artificial floods or droughts downstream. Environmental groups have also highlighted the risk of biodiversity loss, displacement of communities, and disruption to the delicate Himalayan ecosystem. Concerns in India, Bangladesh about the project India, in particular, has accelerated its own hydro-power development projects in Arunachal Pradesh to assert control over its water resources and offset perceived risks from the Chinese dam. Longstanding border disputes also compound the issue. While India asserts that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of its sovereign territory, China continues to claim it as part of southern Tibet—objecting to infrastructure developments in the region. To manage the massive undertaking logistically, China has established a new state-owned enterprise named the China Yajiang Group, which will serve as the official project owner. The new company will be responsible for construction, operation, and ensuring environmental protections. Speaking during the company's inauguration, China's vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing underscored the importance of technological innovation and ecological safeguards. While Beijing frames the project as a forward-looking solution for clean energy and regional development, it continues to fuel tension and uncertainty in a region already marked by sensitive water politics and unresolved border conflicts. Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
11-07-2025
- The Independent
Discover Yichang, gateway to the Three Gorges
The majestic Yangtze River reveals its splendour in Yichang, Hubei province, where you can find the 'Two Dams and One Gorge' — the Three Gorges Dam, the Gezhouba Dam, and the Xiling Gorge. Visitors can embark on an electric cruise upstream to witness these awe-inspiring engineering marvels and immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of Xiling Gorge. They can also explore the enchanting Three Gorges Tribe, where stilt houses cling to the cliffs and the folk songs of Tujia maidens harmonise with the gentle sounds of the streams, immersing tourists in the ancient Ba-Chu culture. Yichang's culinary delights are equally enticing. You can savour chewy hand-pulled noodles, steaming red oil buns, crispy radish dumplings, and refreshing cold shrimp jelly—each bite is infused with the city's unique charm. Join our host Robert on a 48-hour journey to discover the vibrant allure of the gateway to the Three Gorges!
