Siemens Energy Launches Amazon Education Program

Siemens Energy announced it will redirect over 80% of the funds it typically allocates for logistics and hospitality for its COP30 delegation toward a long-term educational program in the Amazon region. The Educating to Energize initiative will offer two-year technical courses to socially vulnerable students in Belém, with the goal of training them for work in energy transition projects.

The pilot project has an initial investment of approximately US$260,000. The program, which began internal planning in 2024, is the result of a partnership with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), the Federal Institute of Pará (IFPA), and the Fundação de Apoio ao Instituto Federal da Paraíba (FUNETEC). In addition to training, the project includes scholarships, educational materials, and new laboratory equipment for practical classes.

Initially, 160 students who have completed secondary education will be offered spots in the two-year courses. The training will cover basic engineering skills, such as electrical installation and transmission line maintenance, as well as advanced skills in installing photovoltaic systems and emerging topics like wind energy, electric mobility, energy storage, energy efficiency, and green hydrogen.

According to the Energy Research Company (EPE), more than 2.7 million people in Brazil depend on isolated systems (SISOL) that primarily use fossil fuels for electricity because they are not connected to the national grid. Siemens Energy has advocated for the inclusion of hybrid plants in auction criteria to ensure that populations in remote areas have access to more sustainable energy. This solution combines solar energy and battery systems with existing thermal generation, which increases efficiency and reduces environmental impact. The company noted that a shortage of skilled labor remains a challenge for implementation.

In a statement, Andre Clark, Siemens Energy's Senior Vice President for Latin America, said that the private sector’s presence at COP is essential for accelerating climate solutions. He said the company will attend COP30 and future conferences, but its commitment to energy transition "only makes sense if it is inclusive."