Appeal Decision of the Water Tribunal (South Africa)

On 21 July 2020 the Water Tribunal upheld an appeal by groundWork of a water use licence granted to the proposed Khanyisa coal-fired independent power producer owned by ACWA. On 21 July 2020 the Water Tribunal upheld groundWork’s appeal to set aside the Water Use Licence, due to lack of adequate public participation. The Water Tribunal directed ACWA to re-advertise the application and conduct the public participation by 21 September 2020. The Tribunal also confirmed that climate change is a relevant factor to be considered in the Water Use Licence application in terms of section 27 of the National Water Act.