Tata Power has teamed up with the Directorate of Employment and Training (DET), Government of Tamil Nadu, to set up Solar Skill Centres of Excellence (SCOEs) across the state. The collaboration, formalized through an MoU, will establish SCOEs at four Government ITIs located in Pettai, Thoothukudi, Sattur, and Virudhunagar.
These centres will offer specialized training in solar energy, along with related fields such as wind energy and green hydrogen. The initiative aims to equip the youth with the necessary skills to pursue careers in the renewable energy industry while promoting sustainability in the power sector.
Under this partnership, Tata Power’s Skill Development Institute (TPSDI) will handle the development of training content, course delivery, and assessments, while DET will provide infrastructure support and outreach through its network of ITIs. The MoU was signed by Alok Prasad, Head of TPSDI, and B Vishnuchandran, IAS, Director of Employment and Training, Government of Tamil Nadu, with the presence of T Rajashekar, Additional Director of DET, and JC Mistry, Advisor to Tata Power.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing skill development and aligns with Tamil Nadu’s ambitious renewable energy targets. The collaboration may also expand in the future with the identification of new locations by DET.
Since its inception, TPSDI has trained over 350,000 individuals in areas like Green Energy (solar, wind, green hydrogen, and pumped hydro storage), transmission and distribution, power generation, and safety. Recently, the institute received accreditation as a Dual Awarding Body (AB-Dual) under NCVET, empowering it to independently assess, certify, and award qualifications to its trainees.
TPSDI currently operates 11 training centres across India in key states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Odisha, training more than 80,000 individuals annually, with one-third of them focused on the green energy sector. The institute also emphasizes gender inclusivity, with 40% of the trainees being women. By collaborating with government bodies and integrating industry perspectives, TPSDI plays a vital role in addressing the skill gap in India’s clean energy sector, enabling communities to actively participate in the country’s transition to sustainable energy.
Tata Power also operates India’s largest single-location solar cell and module manufacturing plant in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, with a capacity of 4.3 GW. The plant proudly employs 80% women, underscoring the company’s dedication to inclusive growth and fostering green skills among the youth.
