China's most ambitious infrastructure project, worth $168 billion, has started in Tibet. The hydropower system on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (the lower reaches of the Brahmaputra) is planned to produce 300 billion kWh annually. This is stated in the CNN material, writes UNN.
Details
The capacity of the future HPP will be three times higher than that of the current record holder – the Three Gorges Dam. The project, officially launched in July under the code name "YX", was called a strategic priority for energy security by Xi Jinping.
Engineering challenge and environmental risks
The design involves a complex system of tunnels through the mountains, which will allow using a height difference of 2000 meters.
It's the most sophisticated, most innovative dam system the planet has ever seen
At the same time, he warned that the project is "the riskiest and potentially most dangerous", as construction threatens the unique ecosystem of the Himalayas and requires the mass resettlement of indigenous Tibetans.
Geopolitical tension and secrecy
Beijing keeps the details of the construction secret, which causes concern in India and Bangladesh. In the Indian media, the project has already been dubbed a "water bomb", as control over the upper reaches of the river gives China leverage over the water security of the entire region.
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Analysts emphasize that the HPP is located close to the disputed border, which makes it not only an energy but also a military-political object.
The project has undergone decades of in-depth research and thorough measures for engineering safety and environmental protection have been implemented
Despite Beijing's denials, satellite images have already recorded large-scale construction of roads, bridges, and explosive warehouses in the previously inaccessible highlands.