China is going big with a colossal project that could outshine the Three Gorges… and bring new risks to the planet
China is once again pushing the boundaries of engineering and nature. After building a dam capable of minimally altering the Earth’s rotation, the country is now embarking on a new project. The promise of clean energy clashes with warnings about potential risks.
A project that defies known limits
China had already made history with its previous dam, not only due to its record-breaking numbers. The dam’s ability to retain 40 billion cubic meters of water slowed down the Earth’s rotation by 0.06 microseconds per day and shifted the planet’s axis by two centimeters. Despite this, China seems determined to up the ante with a new complex of five cascading dams capable of generating 300 billion kWh annually, nearly triple the output of the previous installation.
The cost of infinite energy
The project, estimated at $167 billion and set to be completed by 2030, aims to accelerate the country’s energy transition towards renewable sources. However, while China presents it as a symbol of innovation and technological leadership, nearby communities in Bangladesh, India, and Tibet fear an uncertain future. Concerns about possible seismic movements, changes in river dynamics, and irreversible environmental impact are being raised.
A global risk?
Although experts point out that the project is technically feasible, the accumulation of massive amounts of water once again raises questions. Could these megastructures alter the Earth’s axis once more? There are no certainties, but there is a growing concern about the collateral damage of a project that seeks to be the largest in history.
