China Starts Building World's Largest Hydropower Dam

China has begun construction of the world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet, a $170 billion project, according to Xinhua news agency. Premier Li Qiang announced the commencement of the project.

The dam, located on the Yarlung Zangbo River (Brahmaputra), has an annual capacity of 300 billion kilowatt-hours. It is expected to meet the energy needs in Tibet and the rest of China.

However, the project raises concerns about its impact on downstream countries like India and Bangladesh, as well as the potential environmental effects on the Tibetan Plateau. NGOs, including the International Campaign for Tibet, warn of disruptions to the lives of millions.

Chinese authorities have not yet announced details regarding the number of people to be displaced or the impact on the local ecosystem.