China has commenced construction on what will become the world’s largest hydropower project. The monumental undertaking is located in the remote Yarlung Zangbo River gorge. This significant development unfolds within the southwestern Tibet region.
Premier Li Qiang officially inaugurated the project. The groundbreaking ceremony occurred in Nyingchi, within the Xizang Autonomous Region. Li hailed the endeavor as a “project of the century,” emphasizing its historic scale. He urged the use of cutting-edge technology for its robust construction.
Upon completion, the project anticipates generating 300 billion kilowatt-hours of energy annually. This output would dramatically surpass the Three Gorges Dam, currently the world’s largest. The Three Gorges, also in China, produces 88.2 billion kilowatt-hours.
The vast scheme encompasses five cascade hydropower stations. Its total investment is estimated at approximately 1.2 trillion yuan ($167.8 billion). This financial commitment underscores the project’s national strategic importance.
Government officials, engineers, and local residents attended the launch event. Their presence highlighted the project’s critical role for the nation. It is expected to significantly bolster China’s ambitious climate goals. This includes peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.