- Rs.1.49 Crore CSR Initiative to Prepare Youth for Emerging Green Energy Careers
Bhubaneswar 5.10.2026 [ADN] : A significant step towards strengthening green-energy skilling and creating a future-ready workforce, Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Ltd. (OHPC) and the World Skill Centre (WSC), Bhubaneswar today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishment of OHPC-WSC Centre of Excellence in Green Energy at WSC, Bhubaneswar.
The Centre will be established at Kaushal Bhawan, WSC Campus, Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar, with a total project cost of Rs.1,48,75,009, fully supported under OHPC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Agriculture & Farmer’s Empowerment and Energy, Government of Odisha; Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Industries and Skill Development & Technical Education, Government of Odisha; Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Energy Department and CMD, OHPC Ltd.; and Shri Bhupendra Singh Poonia, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Government, Skill Development & Technical Education Department, along with senior officials of OHPC and WSC. The MoU was signed by Shri Sandeep Patnaik, Director (HR), OHPC, on behalf of OHPC, and Shri Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra, CEO, WSC, representing World Skill Center.
Spread across approximately 3,000 sq. ft., the Centre will provide advanced training and demonstration facilities in rooftop solar, floating solar and solar-tracker technologies, along with emerging areas such as PLC and SCADA, Industrial IoT, remote monitoring, digital technologies, predictive maintenance, energy management and storage systems. The Centre is expected to train approximately 300 youth annually for emerging roles including Solar PV Technicians, Operations and Maintenance Technicians, Site Supervisors and Energy Auditors, while also creating pathways for entrepreneurship in solar installation and maintenance.
As part of the initiative to extend skilling opportunities to youth across Odisha, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister and Minister, Energy, Government of Odisha said, “The initiative will provide opportunity to the selected youth from the operational districts of OHPC with access to advanced green-energy skilling opportunities, opening pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and self-employment in the emerging renewable-energy sector.
Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, said, “This will show the youth of Odisha new pathways in the green-energy sector. The world is making its way towards a green future, and so are we. We will build our youth not just for the country but for the world as well.”
Shri Bhupendra Singh Poonia, IAS, said, “Energy transition is a reality. For skilling, WSC is one of the best institutions in the country. This partnership will help align advanced skilling with the emerging requirements of the energy sector.”
Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, IAS, said, “The transition from conventional energy to green energy is immense. India has set an ambitious target for green energy and we are already working towards it. We are creating new opportunities for the skilled youth of Odisha.”
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra, CEO, WSC, said, “This partnership is valuable because it will build the skilled workforce required in the energy sector. Our skilled youth of Odisha will be leading this sector in the years to come. This collaboration between OHPC and WSC will contribute towards a future-ready Odisha, Viksit Odisha and Viksit Bharat.”
Smt. Santoshi Sahoo, OAS, Special Secretary to Government, SD & TE Department-cum-COO, WSC, said, “Viksit Bharat requires green energy and Viksit Bharat requires a skilled workforce. This initiative brings these two priorities together and will help prepare our youth for the emerging green-energy economy.”
The collaboration marks an important step towards building Odisha’s capacity in green-energy skilling, equipping its youth with industry-relevant capabilities and contributing to the vision of a future-ready Odisha and Viksit Bharat.
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