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China Approves Construction of World's Largest Hydropower Dam on Brahmaputra River.

International | Dated: 29 Dec 2024

On December 25, 2024, China approved the construction of the world's largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River, the fifth-largest river in China, located in Tibet. This river, which flows into India and Bangladesh, is the Brahmaputra in the Indian subcontinent.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The dam, located near the India-Tibet border, will be the largest infrastructure project globally, with an estimated investment of USD 137 billion.
  • - As part of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), the project is expected to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is more than three times the capacity of the world’s current largest hydropower project, the Three Gorges Dam in central China.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) The dam will be constructed at a dramatic gorge where the Brahmaputra River makes a sharp U-turn in the Himalayas.
  • (ii) This section of the river has substantial hydropower potential due to a 2,000-meter (6,561 feet) drop over just 50 kilometers (31 miles).
  • (iii) India plans to build its second-largest dam on the Brahmaputra River in Arunachal Pradesh to enhance water security, flood control, and hydropower generation. The estimated project cost is Rs. 50,000 crore, and the dam will have a storage capacity of about 10 billion cubic meters of water.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Recently, China approved the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on which river?

Correct Answer: Brahmaputra River

🚀 Quick Recap:

About China

  • Capital: Beijing
  • President: Xi Jinping