China’s Dams Are Refilling, and That’s Good News for the Climate
Hydropower has underperformed since 2022’s historic drought, causing widespread economic pain. That’s finally changing.
Visitors view the shipping locks of China’s Three Gorges Dam, where water storage is up about 25% from the previous year.
Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg
Welcome to Energy Daily, our guide to the energy and commodities markets powering the global economy. Today, reporter Dan Murtaugh takes a look at the climate impact of China’s improving hydropower picture. To get this newsletter sent to your inbox, sign up here.
Despite the much-deserved excitement surrounding China’s rapid build-out of wind turbines and solar panels, the country’s biggest source of clean energy remains one of its oldest: hydroelectric dams.