India is concerned that the hydroelectric dam in China could cause an environmental disaster on the Brahmaputra River.
The international media reported that China is moving towards implementing a new hydroelectric dam plan to implement the country’s five-year economic development plan (2021-2025).
China plans to build super hydroelectricity three times more than the Three Gorges dam. Illustration
Specifically, the new dam is planned to build a dam in Tibet, capable of generating electricity three times as much electricity from the Three Gorges Dam.
Beijing authorities have not released details of the new dam in Tibet, but Chinese media predict this dam with a capacity of up to 60 GW, could become the largest hydroelectric dam in the world, surpassing the dam. Tam Hiep, with a capacity of 22.5 GW.
The new dam project was mentioned in the five-year economic development plan (2021-2025) announced by the Chinese government at the annual parliamentary session.
In November 2020, speaking at a conference commemorating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the China Hydropower Engineering Association, China Electricity Construction Group Chairman Yan Zhiyong announced that Beijing would exploit hydroelectricity in the lower reaches save the Yarlung Zangbao River. The Yarlung Zangbao River flowing into India is the Brahmaputra River.
Beijing could argue that the mega dam project in Tibet is an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels.
Given its position on the Yarlung Zangbao line, the new super hydro is in danger of facing strong opposition from environmental activists such as when the Three Gorges dam was built in 1994-2012, especially from India. . The Yarlung Zangbao River was renamed Brahmaputra when it flowed into India.
According to the report, the exploitation of hydroelectric resources on the Brahmaputra River could provide China with 300 billion kWh of carbon-free electricity a year, accounting for about 4% of the country’s total demand last year.
The proposal to build hydroelectric dams on the Brahmaputra River raises concerns in India and Bangladesh, the riparian states of the river because it serves as an important source of water. However, China seeks to downplay those concerns and announced that it would pay attention to the interests of these two countries.
Reuters quoted an Indian official revealed that the New Delhi government is planning to build its hydroelectric dam on the Brahmaputra River, in order to increase water retention capacity and find ways to neutralize the influence of the Chinese project. .
The Indian government has repeatedly conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, urging them to ensure the interests of downstream countries are not compromised by any activities in the upper region. source.
The Three Gorges Dam created a huge reservoir and evacuated about 1.4 million residents. A dam three times as massive as the Three Gorges could have had a catastrophic impact on the neighborhood.
The areas around the Yarlung Tsangpo River are less densely populated than the Yangtze River. But there is a precedent for relocation of local residents to make room for dam construction projects on the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Nearly 2,000 people were relocated to build the Yagen hydropower station in 2015, local media reported.
Yarlung Zangbao River.
Brian Eyler, director of the sustainability, water and energy program at the Stimson Center, a research organization in the US, says a super-large dam could be a bad idea. Large dams can impede fish migration as well as sediment flows during the downstream flood season.
While China already has a surplus of electricity, the generated electricity could be used to compensate for the losses as it switches from fossil fuels to cleaner energy.
Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, an environmental policy expert at the Tibetan Policy Institute based in Dharamshala, India, said the project contains both ecological and political risks.
“We have a very rich Tibetan cultural heritage in those areas, and any dam construction will destroy the ecology, engulf parts of that area. will be forced to abandon ancestral lands, “he said, adding that the project will encourage Han Chinese workers to migrate, who will gradually settle here permanently.
India is also concerned about the project, as analysts say China is in a position to control a large portion of South Asia’s water supply.
“Water wars are an important part of war because they allow China to use upstream power for its most essential natural resource” – political scientist Brahma Chellaney wrote in Times of India.
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