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First NHS sites join schools installing solar panels under Government scheme
The first NHS sites are set to save on bills after installing solar panels under a £180 million investment from publicly owned Great British Energy, officials said.
Five sites across the country from hospitals to ambulance stations, along with three more schools, had solar panels installed over the summer, while a further eight schools are set to get the equipment in the autumn.
The five NHS sites and 11 primary schools are expected to save a combined total of £3.8 million over the 30-year lifetimes of the panels, which can be invested in health services and school equipment, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said.
It is part of an investment from Great British Energy announced by the Government in March to award £80 million for 200 schools in England and £100 million for nearly 200 NHS sites to install rooftop solar panels to help healthcare and educational settings curb rocketing energy costs.
Eleven schools are already saving on bills having switched on their solar panels in June, and all schools and hospitals under the scheme are expected to have their Great British Energy solar power running by April.
The Government said only a fifth of schools and one in 10 hospitals have solar panels installed, despite a typical school being able to save up to £25,000 a year and NHS sites potentially gaining savings of £45,000 annually from the technology.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Great British Energy is helping your local school or hospital save money on its bills, to be reinvested into the frontline, from textbooks to teachers to medical equipment.
“Across the country, solar panels are going up on rooftops or carpark canopies, to power classrooms and operating theatres with clean, homegrown power.
“This is our clean energy superpower mission in action, protecting our public services with lower bills and energy security.”
Chris Gormley, chief sustainability officer at NHS England, said: “Thanks to this new funding, we are set to expand solar generation by more than 300% across the NHS – slashing millions of pounds from energy bills, which can then be redirected into patient care.
“These new solar panels are expected to save the NHS £8.6 million every year once all the projects are completed, adding up to £260 million over their lifetime.
“That’s a massive leap towards a more sustainable, cost-efficient NHS.”
Three-month waiver on bank guarantees, credit letters covers rice, seafood, pharmaceuticals among other commodities
Increased sourcing from the US reduces reliance on the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow maritime corridor through which a substantial proportion of global oil trade passes and which remains vulnerable to geopolitical tensions. Photo: Reuters
ISLAMABAD:
The Ministry of Commerce has approved a temporary exemption from financial instruments, including bank guarantees and letters of credit, for exports to Iran, the Central Asian Republics and Azerbaijan via Iran’s land route, it emerged on Saturday.
The development arose from a March 24 notification by the Ministry of Commerce received by The Express Tribune.
The exemption, issued under the Import and Export Control Act 1950, waived the requirement under Paragraph 3 of the Export Policy Order 2022, which mandates that all exports from Pakistan be made in compliance with Foreign Exchange Rules, regulations, and procedures notified by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The concession will remain effective for three months, from March 24 to June 21. The ministry stated that the federal government had taken the step to facilitate exporters and enhance regional trade.
Read: Local exports hit by ‘triple threat’
Under the exemption, rice may be exported to the Central Asian Republics and Azerbaijan through Iran’s land route. Exports of the following commodities to Iran via land route were also permitted: rice (milled), seafood, potatoes, meat, onions, maize, citrus, banana, tomato, frozen chicken, pharmaceuticals and tents.
However, the exemption from financial instruments, according to the notification, would be subject to the submission of an undertaking by the exporter that the export proceeds would be submitted within the stipulated time period.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said Pakistan would now be able to export rice to Central Asia and Azerbaijan via Iran, adding that removing barriers to pharmaceutical exports was the government’s top priority.
He added that trade through Iran would significantly reduce exporters’ costs and time, and that increasing exports would steer the country towards economic stability.
Read More: Attack on Iran jolts Pakistan’s economy
The Ministry of Commerce said it was utilising all resources to enhance regional connectivity and increase trade volume, adding that the measure would strengthen trade links in the region.
A week ago, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Mudassir Tipu, said bilateral and transit trade between the two countries remained operational despite ongoing regional tensions.
The envoy expressed gratitude to the Iranian government for extending “full facilitation” to Pakistan’s trade, including transit trade through Iran during “challenging times”.
He added that land border crossings between Pakistan and Iran were functioning “optimally”, with green channels at multiple routes ensuring swift movement of goods on both sides. Further, Tipu said that Pakistan was extending maximum cooperation to Tehran to ensure trade flows remain unaffected by the evolving situation.
Business
Noida International Airport inauguration: Delhi-NCR gets new airport – all you need to know – The Times of India
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Phase I of the Noida International Airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in India’s expanding aviation infrastructure.PM Modi was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel.
Developed at an investment of around Rs 11,200 crore under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model, the project is expected to enhance both regional and international connectivity for the National Capital Region (NCR).The airport is being positioned as a key addition to India’s aviation network, aimed at easing pressure on existing infrastructure while supporting the country’s ambition of becoming a global aviation hub.
Second international gateway for Delhi NCR
Noida International Airport has been developed as the second international gateway for Delhi NCR, complementing the existing Indira Gandhi International Airport, which currently handles the majority of the region’s air traffic.
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With rising passenger demand and capacity constraints at IGI Airport, the new facility is expected to play a crucial role in distributing traffic more efficiently.Together, the two airports will function as an integrated aviation system, helping reduce congestion, improve connectivity, and enhance the region’s standing among leading global aviation hubs.
Phase I capacity and future expansion plans
Phase I of the airport is designed to handle 12 million passengers per annum (MPPA), providing immediate relief to the region’s growing air travel demand.The project has been planned with scalability in mind, with provisions to expand capacity to 70 million passengers annually in subsequent phases. This long-term vision reflects the government’s strategy to future-proof infrastructure and accommodate sustained growth in air travel.
Modern infrastructure and all-weather operations
The airport features a 3,900-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft, making it suitable for both domestic and international long-haul operations.
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Equipped with advanced navigation systems such as the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and modern airfield lighting, the facility is designed to support efficient, all-weather, round-the-clock operations. These features ensure operational reliability even under challenging weather conditions.
Cargo hub and logistics ecosystem
In addition to passenger services, the airport includes a comprehensive cargo ecosystem aimed at strengthening logistics and trade.The Multi-Modal Cargo Hub comprises an Integrated Cargo Terminal and dedicated logistics zones, with an initial handling capacity of over 2.5 lakh metric tonnes annually. This capacity is expected to expand significantly to around 18 lakh metric tonnes in the future, positioning the airport as a major cargo and logistics centre in North India.
Dedicated MRO facility to enhance efficiency
A key component of the airport’s infrastructure is a 40-acre Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.This dedicated facility is expected to improve operational efficiency by enabling airlines to service and maintain aircraft locally, reducing turnaround times and operational costs. It also strengthens India’s capabilities in aviation maintenance services.
Sustainability and future-ready design
Noida International Airport has been designed as a sustainable and future-ready infrastructure project, with a focus on achieving net-zero emissions.The project incorporates energy-efficient systems and environmentally responsible practices, aligning with India’s broader climate goals. The airport’s development reflects a growing emphasis on green infrastructure in large-scale projects.
Architecture inspired by Indian heritage
Blending modern infrastructure with cultural aesthetics, the airport’s architectural design draws inspiration from traditional Indian elements such as ghats and havelis.This approach aims to create a distinctive identity for the airport while offering passengers a sense of place rooted in Indian heritage.
Strategic location and multi-modal connectivity
Strategically located along the Yamuna Expressway in Gautam Buddha Nagar district, the airport is planned as a multi-modal transport hub.It will feature seamless integration with road, rail, metro and regional transit systems, ensuring smooth connectivity for passengers and cargo. This connectivity is expected to significantly improve accessibility for travellers across Delhi NCR and neighbouring regions.
Boost to India’s aviation ambitions
The inauguration of Phase I of Noida International Airport is being seen as a major step in strengthening India’s aviation ecosystem.By expanding capacity, improving connectivity, and integrating modern infrastructure with sustainability, the project is expected to play a key role in positioning Delhi NCR as a major global aviation hub while supporting economic growth and regional development
Business
Iran permits 2 Pakistani cargo ships to pass through Strait of Hormuz | The Express Tribune
Iran has permitted two Pakistani cargo ships to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, sources in the Ministry of Maritime Affairs confirmed on Saturday.
The vessels, Multan and P-Akili, which were previously held after Iranian forces took control of the strait — a key global oil supply route — have now crossed and are en route to Karachi. They are expected to dock at Karachi port on March 31, a source familiar with the matter said.
Multan is a general cargo ship, while P-Akili is carrying over 80 million litres of crude oil. Sources added that Iranian authorities not only allowed the vessels to pass but also provided an escort until they cleared the strait’s flashpoint line.
Read: Global poll says Iran war leaves US increasingly isolated internationally
This move comes amid ongoing mediation efforts by Islamabad, in coordination with Turkiye and Egypt, to curb the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
It is the second time Tehran has permitted a Pakistani ship to pass through the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began on February 28. Previously, a Pakistani oil tanker transited the strait on March 16.
The Middle East region remains on high alert following the joint US-Israel offensive on Iran that began on February 28, which has resulted in over 1,900 deaths, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruption to global markets and aviation.
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