Beijing: Much water has flowed since China announced in December 2024 that it would construct the world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra River, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, to generate 60,000 megawatts of energy annually. The USD 137 billion Medog Hydropower Station, with operations slated for 2033, has attracted global attention due to its energy potential and perceived ecological impacts.
According to Global Voices, Bangladeshi officials have expressed concerns that the dam might reduce the river’s dry season flow. They have requested China to conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, a feasibility study, a climate impact assessment, and a disaster impact assessment. This request comes amidst a global anti-dam movement, which highlights the social and environmental costs of such mega projects, especially in the fragile Himalayan landscape prone to disasters exacerbated by climate change.
Chinese state media asserts that the Medog Hydropower Station is a safe, ecologically sensitive project that will aid in meeting China’s carbon neutrality targets. They claim that the dam will not adversely affect the lower reaches and that China will maintain communication and cooperation with downstream countries for disaster prevention and rescue operations.
The Brahmaputra River is a transboundary river originating in Tibet and flowing through China, Bhutan, India, and Bangladesh before reaching the Bay of Bengal. The Medog Hydropower Station is being constructed at the Great Bend before the river enters India, making it a focal point in discussions about China’s green energy transition and its potential to reduce reliance on coal-based power.
Kunda Dixit, a journalist and author based in Kathmandu, noted that while the dam could lead to significant energy generation, it is crucial to consider its impact on the riverine ecosystem. Dixit emphasized the need to question the ultimate use of the generated energy, cautioning against feeding consumerism and continuous economic growth.
China’s strategy involves establishing a clear narrative and amplifying it through a coordinated online ecosystem, emphasizing the hydropower potential of the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon. Chinese media portray the dam as part of a national strategy under the West-to-East Power Transmission initiative, aimed at supplying clean energy and reducing coal dependence.
Despite reassurances from Chinese media, India perceives the dam as a strategic threat, with concerns over potential water flow control by China. China’s infrastructure projects in the region, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the China-Nepal Railway, have previously triggered Indian anxiety, now further fueled by the Yarlung Tsangpo Dam.
An anonymous source from the Chinese government told Global Voices that the project is classified as confidential, accusing foreign media of undermining China’s national infrastructure efforts. The Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated that the dam had undergone rigorous scientific assessment, asserting that it would not have adverse impacts on downstream countries and could contribute to disaster prevention and climate adaptation.