Bhubaneswar: World Skill Center (WSC) will establish a dedicated Green Energy (Solar) Centre of Excellence (CoE) at its Mancheswar campus here, entailing a total investment of Rs 1.48 crore. Designed to train around 300 youths annually, the centre — fully funded by Odisha Hydro Power Corporation under its corporate social responsibility programme — will offer industry-oriented programmes for high-demand roles such as solar PV technicians, operation and maintenance technicians, site supervisors and energy auditors.The initiative was formally announced in the presence of deputy chief minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who is also the agriculture and farmers’ empowerment and energy minister and industry, skill development and technical education minister Sampad Chandra Swain.The upcoming CoE, to be housed in a nearly 3,000 sq ft facility at Kaushal Bhawan, will offer hands-on training through demonstration units such as rooftop solar systems, floating solar installations and solar-tracker technologies.Officials said the facility will integrate advanced technologies including Programmable logic controllers (PLC), SCADA systems, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), remote monitoring, digital twins, predictive maintenance tools and Energy Management Systems (EMS).Deputy chief minister Singh Deo revealed plans to expand the reach of the WSC beyond Bhubaneswar. The govt has proposed the establishment of new WSC branches in Berhampur and Sambalpur, aimed at decentralising advanced skill development opportunities across Odisha, he added. The WSC will also raise its annual intake of fully sponsored students from 60 to 100 candidates beginning this year.Minister Swain said the CoE would play a crucial role in preparing Odisha’s youth for emerging opportunities in the renewable energy sector.“This marks a transformative step in equipping our youth with future-ready skills in solar and green energy, ensuring Odisha leads the way in innovation and sustainable employment,” he said.