Foreign Media: Global Hydropower Report: China Tops the List, Yarlung Zangbo River Hydropower Project May Rewrite World Records
According to the latest annual report from the International Hydropower Association (IHA), China is fully consolidating its leading position in global hydropower, with the highly anticipated Yarlung Zangbo River hydropower project serving as its core pillar.
The project is located in Medog County, Tibet Autonomous Region, with an expected installed capacity of 60 gigawatts and an annual power generation of approximately 300 terawatt-hours—about three times that of the Three Gorges Dam. Upon completion, it will become the largest hydropower station in the world. The project officially commenced construction in July last year, with an estimated total investment of 1.2 trillion RMB (approximately 176.4 billion USD).
IHA President and former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull noted that large-scale infrastructure projects have long development timelines, and even with China's formidable engineering capabilities, physical laws remain a fundamental constraint.
The report also highlights complex geopolitical factors involved in the project—downstream portions of the Yarlung Zangbo River flow through India, raising concerns among downstream countries regarding water resource allocation. Turnbull stated that cross-border water disputes can only be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, emphasizing that all parties must adhere to principles of fairness.
China is also aggressively advancing pumped storage facility construction, aiming to gradually transform its fossil fuel-dependent power system into a stable renewable energy network.
Original Article: toutiao.com/article/1869215679043712/
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