China kicked off a huge new building project on Saturday, and it’s already making waves. The country started construction on the world’s biggest hydropower dam along the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang leading the announcement at a big event in Nyingchi. This dam, called the Medog Hydropower Station, will cost $170 billion and should be ready by the 2030s. China says it’s a smart way to make more clean energy, but nearby countries like India and Bangladesh aren’t happy about it.
A Dam Bigger Than Anything Else
This isn’t just any dam—it’s going to be a giant. The Medog Hydropower Station will have five parts working together to create 60 gigawatts of power, which is a lot more than the Three Gorges Dam that China already has. Experts say it’ll make 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity every year, enough to light up a country as big as Britain.
The river drops fast, about 2,000 meters in just 50 kilometers, so it’s a perfect spot for making power. But building it won’t be easy. Workers need to dig four long tunnels, each 20 kilometers, through a tall mountain in Tibet. China’s Power Construction Corporation is in charge, and they’ve set up a new group called China Yajiang Group Co. to handle the job.
Trouble With the Neighbors
The dam sits close to India, and that’s causing some problems. The Yarlung Zangbo River flows into India, where it turns into the Brahmaputra River, and then keeps going into Bangladesh. Both countries worry that the dam might mess up their water supply. Millions of people there use the river for drinking, farming, and other stuff. India already asked China earlier this year to make sure the water keeps flowing their way.
Bangladesh feels the same. On top of that, people who care about nature say the dam could hurt plants and animals in Tibet. Some folks in Tibet aren’t thrilled either—they think China’s taking their water and land without asking them.
China’s Plan for More Green Energy
China really wants to lead the world in clean energy, and this dam is a big part of that. The country already has more wind and solar power than anyone else. The International Energy Agency says China will build most of the world’s new green energy projects by 2030. This dam fits right into that goal.
When China shared the news, people who buy stocks got excited. Companies that build things and make power saw their prices go up because they think this will help China’s money grow.
My Thoughts on This
I think this dam shows how much China wants to make its own energy and help the planet at the same time. It’s a cool idea to use rivers for power instead of burning coal. But it’s risky too. Water matters a lot in Asia, and if India and Bangladesh don’t get enough, they’ll be mad at China. That could start arguments or worse. Still, if China pulls this off and keeps everyone happy, other places might try building dams like this too. It’s a big test for them.
Sources: theedgemalaysia.com
