Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced on Saturday the commencement of a monumental hydropower project on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River. The announcement was made during a groundbreaking ceremony in Nyingchi City, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region.
The ceremony took place at the dam site of Nyingchi’s Mainling hydropower station. Representatives from the National Development and Reform Commission, the Power Construction Corporation of China, and members of the expert advisory committee attended the event alongside local residents.
The ambitious project consists of five cascade hydropower stations with a total estimated investment of around 1.2 trillion yuan (approximately $167.8 billion). It aims to primarily deliver electricity for external consumption while also meeting local energy demands in Xizang.
In preparation for the project’s vast scale, a ceremony was recently held in Beijing to inaugurate the China Yajiang Group Co., Ltd., which will oversee the construction and operation of the hydropower facilities. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing attended the inauguration.
The Yarlung Zangbo River, known for its deep canyons and rich biodiversity, holds significant potential for renewable energy. This project is expected to boost regional development and contribute to China’s clean energy goals.
