By Abhishek G Bhaya
In a historic move signalling China's deepening commitment to clean energy and ecological modernization, Chinese Premier Li Qiang on July 19 officially launched the construction of one of the world's most ambitious hydropower projects on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River in Nyingchi, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.
As Xinhuareported, the groundbreaking ceremony at the Mainling dam site marked the start of a massive infrastructure initiative with far-reaching implications not only for China but for the broader region and the global clean energy transition.
Comprising five cascade stations and backed by an estimated investment of 1.2 trillion yuan (roughly $167.8 billion), the project will significantly enhance China's renewable power capacity.
Once completed, it will rank as the world's largest hydropower venture, reinforcing China's leading role in sustainable energy transition and low-carbon innovation.
On completion, the Yarlung Zangbo hydropower complex is also expected to triple the energy output of the famed Three Gorges Dam, potentially reaching 300 billion kilowatt-hours annually – a scale previously unimaginable for hydropower anywhere in the world.
Strategic green pivot with global impact
The hydropower project is a cornerstone of China's 14th Five-Year Plan, exemplifying the nation's shift toward low-carbon growth and environmental sustainability.
With China already leading global clean energy investment, accounting for nearly 60 percent of new renewable energy additions in 2023, according to theInternational Energy Agency, this new undertaking reaffirms its dedication to achieving carbon neutrality before 2060 and peak emissions by 2030.
Moreover, hydropower offers not only clean energy but also grid stability and economic uplift for remote regions.
The Yarlung Zangbo River, with its immense drop in elevation – a section of the river falls a dramatic 2,000 meters within a short span of 50 kilometers – offers unparalleled hydropower potential. Harnessing it responsibly not only boosts national energy capacity but also provides a sustainable foundation for regional development, particularly in Xizang.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, announces the start of the construction of a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River while attending the groundbreaking ceremony in Nyingchi City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, July 19, 2025.[Photo/Xinhua]
Regional development in focus
Strategically located in Nyingchi, a region with abundant hydrological resources, the project is expected to play a transformative role in unlocking Xizang's economic potential. Often seen through the narrow lens of geopolitics, the region's development trajectory under China's modernization campaign deserves more nuanced attention.
By addressing both local electricity needs and exporting power to broader markets, the project provides a sustainable growth engine for Xizang's remote communities. More importantly, it signifies a tangible step toward inclusive development and supports the national strategy for regional revitalization and poverty alleviation through green industry.
The participation of local representatives, engineers, and expert advisory bodies at the groundbreaking ceremony underscores China's emphasis on consultation, consensus, and shared prosperity– values essential to ecological civilization. In doing so, China reaffirms its philosophy of people-centered, high-quality development.
Addressing international concerns with openness
It is understandable that large-scale hydropower projects, especially those on transboundary rivers, may raise questions among neighboring nations. The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra River upon entering India, and downstream concerns regarding water security and ecological impacts have occasionally been voiced.
While these concerns merit serious attention, China has consistently reiterated its commitment to maintaining the natural outflow of cross-border rivers and conducting rigorous geological and environmental assessments prior to construction. It is also vital to recognize China's policy of transparency and scientific planning in managing cross-border water resources.
The newly established China Yajiang Group Co., Ltd. – inaugurated in Beijing in the presence of Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing – will oversee the construction and future operation of the project, ensuring technical excellence and ecological safeguards.
Chinese hydrological projects along the Yarlung Zangbo are primarily for run-of-the-river power generation, which do not entail significant storage or diversion of water. Such designs are carefully chosen to minimize downstream disruptions.
In fact, the project's implementation, accompanied by in-depth geological studies and advanced engineering protocols in a seismically sensitive region, aims to ensure both safety and environmental integrity. As a responsible major country, China has also engaged in regular communication with its neighbors through existing water-sharing mechanisms and bilateral platforms.
By optimizing hydropower potential in a measured and regulated manner, China is not only bolstering its domestic energy grid but also offering opportunities for future cross-border energy trade and connectivity. In this sense, the Yarlung Zangbo project has the potential to act as a stabilizing force for regional cooperation, not a source of friction.
South-South cooperation and clean energy diplomacy
Beyond national borders, this project serves as a model of innovation for other developing countries aspiring to expand their renewable energy infrastructure. China's experience in building climate-resilient, low-carbon megaprojects offers valuable lessons for the Global South, many of whom face financing and technological constraints in their own clean energy pursuits.
Looking ahead, the Yarlung Zangbo project may also open up possibilities for cross-border energy cooperation, fostering regional interdependence and trust. As global climate action increasingly demands shared solutions, China is stepping forward not just with ambition but with actionable frameworks for collective benefit.
The Yarlung Zangbo hydropower project represents more than a technological marvel. It is a beacon of ecological civilization, a catalyst for inclusive growth and a harbinger of China's evolving role in global energy governance. By investing in science-driven, region-sensitive and environmentally balanced development, China is demonstrating that sustainable progress need not come at the expense of harmony – either with nature or with neighbors.
At a time when climate anxieties are rising and global cooperation is in short supply, China's bold green vision may well serve as a blueprint for a more connected and sustainable future.
Abhishek G Bhaya is a senior journalist and international affairs commentator.