Hydraulic dam: China develops its capacities in a controversial way

Dams are currently being considered in China to accelerate the country's energy transition. In particular, the state could build up to 60 gigawatts of hydroelectric capacity on part of the Brahmaputra River, known as the Yarlung Tsangbo. This project is part of the list of policy recommendations in the Chinese Communist Party's 2021-2025 "five-year plan".

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Dams are currently being considered in China to accelerate the country’s energy transition. In particular, the state could build up to 60 gigawatts of hydroelectric capacity on part of the Brahmaputra River, known as the Yarlung Tsangbo. This project is part of the list of policy recommendations in the Chinese Communist Party’s 2021-2025 “five-year plan”.

Hydropower dams to ensure the country’s carbon neutrality

According to Reuters, Yan Zhiyong, Chairman of the state-owned Power Construction Corporation of China, described the project as a “historic opportunity”. This will help secure water supplies and meet China‘s 2050 carbon neutrality target, according to China Energy News. China, which has 350 gigawatts of hydropower capacity, expects to double its resources in the medium term.

China’s hydroelectric dams break records

In fact, the Wudongde power plant set a record in the short-circuit test. The latter, located between Sichuan and Yunnan provinces downstream of the Jinsha River, has reached a maximum voltage of 800 kV. This test can be used to test scenarios in which the power plant suffers a short break due to thunder, for example. For this project, a converter valve developed by China Southern Power Grid was used.

Thanks to the world’s first flexible DC test, this station, which will go into service at the end of the year, has a bright future ahead of it. It will generate 3.3 million kW of energy, which will be transferred to the provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi Zhuang and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao.

A project heavily criticized

The river on which the new hydroelectric dam is to be built rises in Tibet and flows towards India and Bangladesh. This geographical reality has led to numerous protests from Tibetan rights activists. In fact, this project could be developed downstream, guaranteeing the protection of the rights of the peoples in the region.

However, Yan Zhiyong declared that this project would contribute to the development of renewable energies in Tibet and to cooperation between South Asian countries through the creation of roads and power grids.

An environmental catastrophe?

Environmental groups also point to the saturation of China’s rivers due to an increase in the number of hydraulic dams in the country. Recent years have seen the construction of the Three Gorges Dam and other hydraulic structures on the Yangtze River. An American study has also demonstrated the worsening drought in these areas, directly caused by these structures.

However, according to Wood Mackenzie analyst Frank Yu, China must continue on this path if it is to meet the carbon neutrality target set by Xi Jimping in September. By 2060, the country will have to develop 250 GW of new hydropower capacity.

If China pursues its hydroelectric dam projects, it could potentially guarantee an energy transition at the cost of a significant environmental impact.

Nagano Prefecture has commissioned a new 1.5MW hydropower plant to supply Seiko Epson’s Ina facility under a sleeved power purchase agreement managed by Chubu Electric Power Miraiz.
The Senate's economic affairs committee recommends including the reform of the legal framework for dams in the upcoming energy bill to avoid competitive tendering, following a principle agreement between Paris and Brussels.
The Canadian government is investing nearly CAD17mn ($12.4mn) to support two hydroelectric initiatives led by Indigenous communities in Quebec, aiming to reduce diesel dependency in remote regions.
Federal funding targets FORCE’s PICO platform and an Acadia study on fish–turbine collision risks, aiming to reduce regulatory uncertainty and accelerate industrial adoption in the Bay of Fundy.
The Norwegian operator plans to install a third turbine to capture part of today’s bypassed floodwater without changing the flow on the salmon stretch; commissioning would be at the earliest in 2030. —
Norway’s Statkraft continues its exit from the Indian market with the sale of its Tidong hydropower project to JSW Energy, which strengthens its asset portfolio in Himachal Pradesh.
Eco Wave Power and BladeRanger have unveiled a first-of-its-kind drone-powered maintenance system for onshore wave energy infrastructure, aimed at reducing operational costs and improving system performance.
A TEHA-Enel report highlights that 86% of Italy's hydropower concessions are expiring, threatening key investments and the country's energy security.
Hull Street Energy has signed an agreement to acquire thirteen hydroelectric dams from Consumers Energy, totalling 132 MW, further consolidating its position in the North American hydro sector.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is now fully operational, with a planned capacity of 5,150 MW, marking a key step in the country’s energy deployment.
Sweden's Minesto begins a SEK25mn ($2.26mn) tidal microgrid project in the Faroe Islands, targeting integration with local applications such as electric vehicle charging and industrial processes.
The Grand Renaissance Dam, set to be inaugurated in September, aims to produce 5,000 megawatts and could generate up to $1 billion per year for Ethiopia, according to the government.
A principle agreement between Paris and Brussels opens the way to reforming the legal framework of hydroelectric concessions in France, ending a deadlock that lasted over ten years.
Swedish company Eco Wave Power has completed testing of its technology at the Port of Los Angeles, reaching a tangible milestone with the launch of its floaters to generate electricity from waves.
Georgia Power continues technical upgrades at several hydroelectric plants in Georgia, with approval from the public regulator, to ensure the reliability of the state’s electricity grid.
A landmark auction in Brazil allocates 815 MW to medium-sized hydroelectric plants, with grid injection scheduled from 2030.
ISDN Holdings strengthens its position in Indonesia by acquiring a majority stake in PT Funda, integrating hydropower capabilities across the entire project lifecycle and consolidating its renewable energy investments.
The Port of Suao becomes the first site in Taiwan open to commercial testing of wave energy production, following the allocation of Lot C to I-KE International Ocean Energy Co., partner of Eco Wave Power.
With active projects across four continents and strong liquidity, Eco Wave Power accelerates its expansion strategy while absorbing a rise in operational costs in H1 2025.
Eco Wave Power has completed the full installation of its wave energy system at the Port of Los Angeles, paving the way for initial operational tests scheduled for September.