China Launches Motuo Megadam Project Amid Water Scarcity and Energy Needs
China's construction of the Motuo megadam, with an estimated cost of $168 billion, aims to address severe water scarcity and energy demands. The project will significantly impact water flow to downstream nations, raising ecological and geopolitical concerns.
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Construction of the Motuo megadam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River commenced in July 2025, with an estimated cost of $168 billion. This undertaking will yield approximately 300 terawatts of annual power output, surpassing the Three Gorges Dam.
The dam will be part of a broader initiative to harness hydropower potential in Tibet, a region facing seismic risks and climate change challenges. The project threatens downstream water flow to India and Bangladesh, crucial for their agriculture.
With over 193 dams planned since 2000, the push for hydropower raises concerns about environmental impacts and sediment flow, potentially jeopardizing food security in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta. Increased energy generation may not benefit local Tibetans but rather support industrial growth in eastern China.
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