BEIJING, March 11 (UPI) -- China's state-run media said the largest hydroelectric project in the Tibetan autonomous region should start generating electricity this year.
China's state-run news agency Xinhua reports that electricity should come from the Pondo Water Control Project by October.
Xinhua described the project as "Tibet's Three Gorges Dam, representing an investment of around $728 million. Construction is expected to be completed by 2016.
"Comprised of a reservoir and a power station, the project is designed to irrigate 43,520 hectares of farmland and generate 599 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually upon completion," Xinhua said.
Beijing has faced opposition from Tibetans about plans to dam up regional rivers. Tibet Third Pole, a group advocating in defense of the local population, said "massive relocation" and dramatic environmental impacts have resulted from Pondo's construction.
