Clean Energy, Hard Power: Tibet as Leverage
An episode of the All Things Policy podcast, hosted by Takshashila Institution, titled "Clean Energy, Hard Power: Tibet as Leverage" was published on February 5, 2026 and runs 30 minutes.
February 5, 2026 ·30m · All Things Policy
Summary
Yusuf Unjhawala sits down with Dr. Y. Nithiyanandam to unpack his latest piece in the Takshashila Geospatial Bulletin, a deep dive into the rapid expansion of renewable energy in the Tibet Autonomous Region. From hydropower and solar to wind and other emerging sources, the conversation tracks how Tibet’s output has grown, what has improved in terms of efficiency and infrastructure, and how these developments compare with China’s broader renewable targets.But the big question is why Beijing is doubling down on large-scale renewable harvesting in Tibet even when it already has a net surplus in electricity utilisation. The discussion moves from energy economics to the region’s shifting strategic dynamics, what this build-out could enable for China and the PLA, and the second-order effects India should be watching closely.Publications referenced: Takshashila Geospatial Bulletin https://t.co/Vzippi10SR & https://shorturl.at/p25LDAll Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
Episode Description
Yusuf Unjhawala sits down with Dr. Y. Nithiyanandam to unpack his latest piece in the Takshashila Geospatial Bulletin, a deep dive into the rapid expansion of renewable energy in the Tibet Autonomous Region. From hydropower and solar to wind and other emerging sources, the conversation tracks how Tibet’s output has grown, what has improved in terms of efficiency and infrastructure, and how these developments compare with China’s broader renewable targets.
But the big question is why Beijing is doubling down on large-scale renewable harvesting in Tibet even when it already has a net surplus in electricity utilisation. The discussion moves from energy economics to the region’s shifting strategic dynamics, what this build-out could enable for China and the PLA, and the second-order effects India should be watching closely.
Publications referenced: Takshashila Geospatial Bulletin https://t.co/Vzippi10SR & https://shorturl.at/p25LD
All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/research-areas
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
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