China's $170-billion Brahmaputra mega dam

under construction

The dam is a massive hydropower project planned across the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, expected to become the world's largest hydropower project, surpassing the Three Gorges Dam in scale and electricity generation. It is positioned as a key pillar of China's clean energy strategy and is expected to generate around 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. The site sits atop the active Paizhen Fault, an Ice Age fault line, posing long-term risks to the project's stability. Researchers recommend stronger engineering safeguards including reinforcing slopes and installing retaining structures to mitigate risks such as landslides and rockfalls. The project has significant geopolitical implications as the river flows into India and Bangladesh, raising concerns about downstream impacts.