Student Numbers in Electrical and Energy Engineering More Than Triple

This year, interest in engineering studies has grown even further at Lithuanian higher education institutions. In 2026, 3,439 students were admitted to engineering programmes – a rise of 21% compared to last year. The growth is even more pronounced in the fields of electrical and energy engineering: over the past four years, the number of applicants for electrical and energy engineering programmes has more than tripled – from 188 students in 2022 to 603 students in 2026.*

“The growing interest in engineering among young people is a very important signal for the entire energy sector. Today, engineers are developing solutions that contribute to energy security, the expansion of renewable energy and a sustainable future. It is therefore heartening to see that more and more young people are choosing to study subjects that allow them to contribute to these changes,” says Giedrė Žlibinienė, head of #EnergySmartSTART.

Engineering – a profession that shapes the future

Engineering studies today encompass far more than just technical calculations. They offer the opportunity to create technological solutions, work with renewable energy, electricity grids, energy storage systems and other innovations on which the functioning of modern society depends.

As interest in these studies grows, it is important to introduce school pupils to engineering professions as early as possible and to show how theoretical knowledge is transformed into real-world solutions that create value for society.

An introduction to the energy sector begins at school

This is precisely the aim of the #EnergySmartSTART programme, whose activities help school pupils gain a closer insight into the energy sector, meet specialists and better understand career opportunities in the field of engineering.

During the past academic year alone, around 370 lessons and 120 excursions for school pupils and students were organised in Lithuania, and the programme took part in 30 educational events. These educational initiatives reached around 70 towns, cities and settlements across Lithuania.

Around 120 colleagues from the Ignitis Group contributed to the implementation of the #EnergySmartSTART educational activities by leading sessions, taking part in events and organising guided tours of power stations and power plants.

With a view to contributing to the training of future energy specialists, the Ignitis Group has, for the fifth year running, been awarding scholarships to students at Lithuanian higher education institutions who have chosen to study electrical, energy and marine engineering. A total of 512 students have already received scholarships, while 69 interns have completed paid work placements.

The aim is not only to encourage young people to choose these fields of study, but also to strengthen the training of specialists needed in Lithuania.

*Data from the Education Management Information System.