How is hydroelectric power generated from Tibet’s rivers and mountain streams?

Tibet possesses significant hydroelectric power potential due to its swift-flowing rivers and mountainous terrain, which constitute a substantial portion of China’s total hydroelectric resources.12

To harness this energy, various small and medium-sized hydropower plants have been developed, particularly along the Brahmaputra, Mekong, Lhasa, and Nyang Qu rivers. These facilities typically utilize the kinetic energy of flowing water to drive turbines, which then power electric generators. Notable examples include the Zhikong station on the Lhasa River and the Jinhe station near Changdu.13

The development of these projects is part of a broader effort to improve Tibet’s power-generating capacity, which was virtually nonexistent before 1950. While these projects provide essential energy, it is important to acknowledge that large-scale hydroelectric infrastructure can have significant environmental and social consequences, including the relocation of local populations and risks associated with reservoir-induced seismicity.145