China officially commenced construction of the Yarlung Zangbo Hydropower Project on Saturday, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s energy development strategy. Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Communist Party’s top leadership body, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony in Nyingchi City, located in the southwestern Xizang Autonomous Region.
Once completed, the Yarlung Zangbo Hydropower Project is projected to be the world’s largest of its kind, with an ambitious target of producing 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This capacity will substantially surpass that of the existing Three Gorges Dam, underscoring the project’s transformative scale.
The ceremony was held at the site of the Mainling hydropower station, one of five planned cascade stations that constitute the monumental project. The total investment for this undertaking is estimated at approximately 1.2 trillion yuan (approximately US$167.8 billion).
Premier Li Qiang emphasized the project’s strategic importance for China’s long-term energy security and sustainable development. Dignitaries from key governmental and industry bodies, including officials from the National Development and Reform Commission and the Power Construction Corporation of China, as well as members of an expert advisory committee, were in attendance alongside local residents.
The primary objective of the Yarlung Zangbo Hydropower Project is to transmit electricity to regions outside Xizang, while also addressing the growing power demands within the autonomous region.
In a related development, a ceremony was recently held in Beijing to formally launch China Yajiang Group Co., Ltd. This newly established entity will be responsible for overseeing the comprehensive construction and operational phases of the Yarlung Zangbo Hydropower Project. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the launch event, further highlighting the national significance of this initiative.
The commencement of this unparalleled hydropower project signifies China’s continued commitment to leveraging its natural resources for energy production and economic growth, with far-reaching implications for its national energy landscape.
