ReNew Energy Global Plc has formally inaugurated its Centre of Excellence (CoE) at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, scaling up Project ReNew Surya, its flagship skilling program that aims to empower 10,000 individuals by 2030 to transition into clean energy livelihoods.
The centre was inaugurated by the Governor of Jharkhand, Santosh Kumar Gangwar, following the successful completion of the first pilot cohort, under which more than 350 women from coal mining communities were trained in solar skills in partnership with IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
Building on this success, the centre will now expand to train over 500 candidates from coal-dependent regions across Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. The fully sponsored, two-month training programme will equip participants with industry-relevant skills such as Suryamitra solar PV installation, project management, and operations & maintenance, enabling them to transition into careers in the renewable energy sector.
Speaking at the occasion, Gangwar, said, “This CoE at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad represents a significant step toward securing the future of Jharkhand’s communities.”
Highlighting the purpose behind setting up the CoE, Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-founder, ReNew, said, “The successful completion of our first cohort shows that the ‘coal to green’ transition is not just necessary, but achievable at scale. With this CoE, we are expanding access to skills and opportunities for coal mine workers and their families.”
Expressing their view, Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad said, “We are grateful to ReNew for partnering with IIT (ISM) Dhanbad on this important initiative. This CoE builds on the strong foundation of the pilot phase and reflects the power of academia–industry collaboration in enabling meaningful livelihood transitions. Together, we aim to equip communities from coal mining regions with the skills needed to participate in India’s clean energy future.”
