The Geostrategic Implications of Hydropower Projects on the Lower Yarlung Tsangpo River
Project Overview and Scale On July 19, 2025, construction officially began on the Lower Yarlung Tsangpo River Hydropower Project, which is being developed by the newly established China Yajiang Group. The project employs a development model that involves straightening the river course and diverting water through tunnels. It comprises five cascade power stations with a total investment of 1.2 trillion yuan—equivalent to the combined investment of three Three Gorges Projects—and is expected to take 10 to 15 years to complete. Upon completion, it will become the largest hydropower project in human history, with an annual power generation capacity of 300 billion kilowatt-hours. This will account for 3% of China’s total electricity consumption in 2024, meet 20% of residential electricity demand, and serve approximately 280 million people. ...