Big Take Asia China Bets Big on a $167 Billion Tibetan Dam
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Jul 29, 2025 In a fascinating discussion, Dan Murtaugh, a Bloomberg Energy reporter based in Beijing, dives into China's ambitious $167 billion hydropower dam project in Tibet. He highlights the massive scale and potential of this engineering marvel, but also raises red flags about environmental risks and geopolitical tensions with neighboring countries like India. Murtaugh shares insights into how this project aims to rejuvenate China's economy post-COVID while sparking a heated debate on water resources and ecological impact.
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Innovative Dam Design
- The Yarlung Sangpo Dam will divert water through a steep mountain tunnel rather than a traditional reservoir.
- This design uses the mountain's height to achieve high water speed for efficient electricity generation.
Massive Power Potential
- This dam could generate up to 70 gigawatts, powering a country like the UK.
- Despite large output, it won't drastically impact China's overall power sector due to its size.
Hydropower's Grid Advantage
- Hydropower provides grid flexibility as a dispatchable clean energy source unlike intermittent wind and solar.
- It supports stability by generating power when renewable sources are unavailable.