Namibia: High Court rules in favour of Xaris

The High Court has dismissed with costs a case brought by Arandis Energy against Xaris Energy over a controversial tender for a 250MW gas power project. Acting judge Collins Parker ruled that there had been an unreasonable delay in making the application, which was submitted 16 months after NamPower selected Xaris as preferred bidder. Arandis had argued that the delay was justified because mines and energy minister Obeth Kandjoze had begun an investigation into the tendering process in April 2015 and the company was awaiting the result. But Parker ruled that accepting this argument “would be setting a very dangerous precedent”.