But for now, the money from hydropower dams is a drop in the bucket compared to the country’s debt burden, which reached $13.8 billion in 2023—the same as its GDP. There is also concern about overcapacity, as Laos already has 76 hydropower dams in operation, with another 43 planned. With potentially decades to go until hydropower dams reach their revenue-generating potential, infrastructure can no longer be the sole driver of Laos’ economy. Yet with potentially decades before hydropower dams reach their revenue-generating potential, other sectors will have to drive Laos’ economy in the meantime. A single-minded focus on hydropower dams has led Laos’ leaders into a crisis of their own making.