The interdependence between water resources and electricity infrastructure represents one of the most critical dimensions of sustainable development in arid and semi-arid regions. In Iraq, and particularly in Najaf Governorate, this interdependence has intensified due to demographic growth, urban expansion, rising service expectations, and the cumulative impacts of decades of infrastructural strain. This study presents an in-depth geographical and developmental analysis of the water and electricity sectors in Najaf Governorate, examining their structural characteristics, spatial distribution, operational challenges, and planning trajectories. Drawing strictly on established geographical research methods, unpublished institutional data, official interviews, and foundational studies on energy and development, the research adopts a qualitative and analytical methodology to interpret the current realities of service provision. The findings reveal that water supply and sewerage systems in Najaf are increasingly constrained by electricity availability, while electricity generation and distribution are, in turn, heavily dependent on stable water inputs and coordinated planning. Institutional fragmentation, legacy infrastructure, and rapid urbanization emerge as central explanatory factors behind service inefficiencies. The discussion situates these findings within broader theoretical debates on infrastructure interdependence, state-led development, and regional planning in developing economies. The study concludes that sustainable service delivery in Najaf requires integrated planning frameworks that transcend sectoral boundaries, prioritize geographical specificity, and align water and electricity strategies within a unified developmental vision.

Water resources, electricity infrastructure, Najaf Governorate

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