1.2万亿超级工程，瞄准小城墨脱

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significance of the Yarlung Tsangpo River downstream hydropower project in Motuo County, Tibet, highlighting its unprecedented investment of 1.2 trillion yuan, making it China's first trillion-level infrastructure project [2][3]. Infrastructure Development - The project is located at a strategic bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which has a natural drop of over 2000 meters, allowing for an estimated annual power generation of 300 billion kilowatt-hours, sufficient to power Beijing for two years [5][6]. - The construction of access roads to Motuo has faced numerous challenges, taking 52 years to complete due to natural disasters, and the region experiences over 300 rainy days a year, complicating transportation [5][6]. Technical Challenges - The project will utilize a cascade development model, constructing five hydropower stations to manage the significant elevation drop effectively [7][9]. - Innovative techniques such as "cutting corners and straightening tunnels" will be employed to optimize water flow and minimize environmental impact [9][11]. - The project requires advanced tunneling machinery, with costs for large-diameter equipment ranging from 200 to 300 million yuan, previously dominated by foreign technology [11][13]. Energy Transmission - The generated electricity will primarily be transmitted to central and eastern China, as the local demand in Tibet is only about 15 billion kilowatt-hours annually [13][15]. - The establishment of a high-voltage transmission line, recently approved by the National Development and Reform Commission, will facilitate this energy transfer, covering a distance of 2,681 kilometers [15][16]. Economic Implications - The project aims to shift the energy mix in China, where coal still accounts for over 60% of electricity production, by significantly increasing the share of clean energy [19][21]. - The demand for electricity has surged, with an increase of 600 billion kilowatt-hours year-on-year, driven by high-tech manufacturing and the growing electric vehicle sector [21][22]. - The investment in this hydropower project is seen as essential for supporting future technological advancements and meeting the energy needs of emerging industries, particularly in AI and data centers [22][23].