China to build a SUPER DAM on Brahmaputra river – Burning Issues – Free PDF Download

• China has already operationalised the USD 1.5 billion Zam Hydropower Station, the largest in Tibet in 2015.

 CHINA’S PLANS

• China will build a major hydropower project on Brahmaputra river in Tibet and a proposal for this has been clearly put forward in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) to be implemented from next year.
•  Yan Zhiyong, chairman of the Power Construction Corp of China, said China will “implement hydropower exploitation in the downstream of the Yarlung Zangbo River” and the project could serve to maintain water resources and domestic security.

 HISTORICALLY UN-PARALLED

• “There is no parallel in history… it will be a historic opportunity for the Chinese hydropower industry,” Yan said.
• The 60 million kWh hydropower exploitation at the downstream of the Yarlung Zangbo River could provide 300 billion kWh of clean, renewable and zero-carbon electricity annually.
• The project will play a significant role in realising China’s goal of reaching a carbon emissions peak before 2030 and carbon neutrality in 2060.
• The hydropower station could generate income of 20 billion yuan (USD three billion) annually for the Tibet Region, he said.

A PROJECT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AND DOMESTIC SECURITY

• “It is a project for national security, including water resources and domestic security,” he said, noting that the project will also smooth cooperation with South Asia. India and China established Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) in 2006 to discuss various issues related to trans-border rivers. Under existing bilateral Memorandums of Understanding, China provides hydrological information of Brahmaputra River and Sutlej River to India during the flood seasons.

IMPACT ON LOWER RIPARIAN STATES

•  Proposals for dams on the Brahmaputra have evoked concerns in India and Bangladesh, the riparian states.

Latest Burning Issues | Free PDF

Sharing is caring!