A newest study indicates that Tibet has the capacity to develop more than 170 million kilowatts ranking first above Sichuan, according to Gangliang Qian, vice head engineer of the hydroelectric benefits plan design at the first ever forum held regarding the Tibet-Qinghai plateau hydroelectric resources development and usage as well as high-mountain peaks protection on June 18.

The third Tibet Autonomous Region hydroelectric resources survey was conducted in 2015. The results from this indicated that there are over 3,300 rivers in Tibet with flow surface above100 square kilometers, amongst those, rivers that have a flow area of 100,000 square kilometers number to more than 20. Other than this, it was reported that the overall region wide hydroelectric potential is 10 thousand kilowatts on 370 rivers.

The related department researched and confirmed that the developable hydroelectric resources in Tibet can be separated into the following: areas restricted for development, controlled development areas and focal development areas. “As for entry into the controlled development rivers and reaches, they should be done according to the social and economic development needs of Tibet and they should be researched lawfully and timely, and under the premises that negative impacts and dangers can be limited, and lastly they should be developed under strict control. The focal development areas should commence hydroelectric planning projects and get to work now and should proceed with development according to the national energy bureau needs and other needs in Tibet.” Said Gangliang Qian.

In recent years, Tibet electrical production has increased significantly and the areas to which electricity is now delivered has dramatically enlarged. Up until the end of last year, Tibet’s power generation capacity and actual power generation was up 136% and 75% respectively. The electrical net coverage area expanded from 32 counties (areas) in 2010 up to 58 at present. The total amount of the population that electricity is now provided is up 33.2%, compared with 2010.