China approves new upstream hydropower dam project on the Yangtze river

China has approved the construction of one of its tallest dams, a 239 metre hydroelectric structure on the upstream section of its longest river, the Yangtze. The reservoir of the Lawa hydroelectric project will submerge nearly 31 square kilometres) of forest and farmland on the Jinsha branch of the Yangtze on the border between Sichuan and Tibet. The project is expected to eventually consist four turbines with a total capacity of 2,000 MW. The state power company, Huadian Group will hold a stake of 48 per cent in the project, with local firms holding the rest. The planned total investment of $4.59 billion will include $325 million to cover the costs of relocating and compensating people displaced by construction.