Satellite imagery gives a glimpse of the site where China has commenced construction on what will become the world's largest dam and China's most ambitious infrastructure project since the Three Gorges Dam. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Power Construction Corporation of China via email for comment outside of office hours.

The megadam is set to become the world’s largest hydropower system and, costing an estimated $167 billion, by far the most expensive megadam of all time. It is anticipated to provide 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, or around 4 percent of China’s energy needs.

China on Wednesday said the construction of what will become the world’s largest hydropower project in the southern Tibet region is “fully” within its “sovereignty.” Responding to concerns raised by India and Bangladesh, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the project will not “adversely” affect downstream countries.