China has become well-known for pushing the sustainable energy agenda to greater heights than those considered by other countries. However, thanks to hydroelectric infrastructure, China is pushing the boundaries of energy production. With 39,000,000,000 liters of water powering turbines that are able to generate 22 gigawatts of electricity already under its belt, China remains committed to unlocking infinite energy. However, it has yet to be determined whether China’s quest for power could lead to global tensions and environmental shifts. According to NASA, China’s megaproject is already resulting in much more than power production.
What did NASA observe about the Three Gorges Dam project?
China has earned its title in the sustainable energy game all thanks to the Three Gorges Dam, which is the world’s largest hydroelectric power station. The Three Gorges Dam project has become famous not only for its size, but also for the output it produces. The human-made dam that is situated on the Yangtze River in China’s Hubei Province contains 39 billion liters of water.
Recently, NASA has found that this large hydroelectric dam may very well be having an effect on Earth’s rotation. According to NASA, should the dam be filled to maximum capacity, it increases the length of the day by 0,06 microseconds. While it may seem like an insignificant change, it may have more serious consequences in the long run.
According to predictions, accelerated glacier melting, larger-scale water displacement, and even climate change may occur if there are shifts in terms of Earth’s rotational axis. One of the world’s largest sustainable power projects is now coming under the radar for causing more devastating effects than positive ones.
China’s super dam is impacting India’s waters too
Since China is set on chasing infinite energy, plans for the Yarlung Tsangpo River on the Tibetan Plateau seem to be on the cards. China’s super dam plans see a generation of far more electricity than the Three Gorges Dam project, with an expected output of 60 GW. Yes, China is stepping forward toward infinite energy.
In moving forward with the infinite energy agenda, China wishes to gain access to high-altitude glacial waters and sort of control them all year long with engineers ready to stabilize flood seasons and drought seasons. The promise of this project is undeniable, but it may cause harm to India, which lies further downstream. One of the fears is that the project could result in a water bomb, increasing floods during monsoons.
Infinite energy soon to be on offer, but at what cost?
China’s projections for the future are optimistic. The 22 GW of electricity offered to families thanks to the Three Gorges Dam project and a further 60 GW planned with the mega dam project seem so promising, painting the picture of a million homes receiving sustainable power. Ultimately, so many homes will no longer depend on coal or imported fuel to generate electricity.
While the promise of infinite power may be quite an exaggeration, the offer seems lucrative. The downside is that with projects of such a large magnitude, environmental risks are always involved. With NASA already raising red flags with the iconic Three Gorges Dam project, the planetary concerns linked to the mega dam should be considered first as well. Already, we are noting how the largest hydroelectric dam on the planet is increasing days.
China’s responsibility for sustainable power and a sustainable future
China’s ambition is not only linked to the Three Gorges but turning 12 million liters of water into energy. The Xiluodu project will be another victory for China, but this project also comes with attached environmental concerns. While China is working towards a future where reservoirs and dams provide power to nations, NASA’s findings may be putting a spanner in the works for China. China should look at balancing the quest for infinite energy with a sense of responsibility for the environment and for Earth itself.
