Yamdrok Hydropower Station

Water is taken from the natural lake through long tunnels, without the need for a dam, and the power station discharges it into the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

Yamdrok Tso is the largest freshwater lake in southern Tibet, with a surface area of 638 square kilometres (246 sq mi) at an elevation of 4,441 metres (14,570 ft).

[2] Some Tibetans consider that the Yamdrok Yumtso or Scorpion Lake, is holy and contains the spirit of Tibet.

[4] It was started in 1985, but due to vocal opposition from Tibetans and the intervention of the Panchen Lama the project was halted in 1986.

[6] Rather than build a dam, four 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) tunnels were bored through the sides of the lake to carry water down to the power station.

The deputy commander of the construction brigade was given responsibility for the next project, building the Zhikong Hydro Power Station on the Lhasa River.

[6] The station displaced the Yangbajain Geothermal Field as the main power supply for Lhasa when it came into operation.

It is almost a closed system, fed by rain and melting snow from the surrounding mountains, and drained only by a small tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo.

[9] Indian hydroelectrical experts have expressed skepticism about the stated plan to pump water into the lake when power demand is low.