How I Became a Project Engineer

Karel Lagast wants to have an impact on the community. Since September, he has joined Infrastructure as Project Engineer, a role that allows him to actively contribute to the energy transition by working on the extension of the grid.

“When I was little, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut,” says Karel. “I was born in 2000, so I often saw Frank De Winne on television. But as I grew up, I became more and more interested in the energy sector. It must be said that both my parents are engineers. Very early on, our house was equipped with solar panels and a heat pump, two technologies that aroused my curiosity. How do these devices work? Who is responsible for transporting the electricity? What does a contract with an energy supplier consist of? It is therefore logical that I eventually started studying as an industrial engineer in electrical engineering, specialising in energy.”

Even before graduating in June, Karel had already started applying for jobs. “I wanted to find a job in the energy sector, which is undergoing major changes. I have a passion for the energy transition. More and more devices run on electricity, which creates challenges that are both exciting and complex. I also wanted to work at a large company, because they have the greatest impact on society. That’s how I naturally ended up at Elia.”

In March 2024, Karel enrolled in the Young Graduate program offered by Elia. Of the 500 candidates, 30 have been chosen to start working in Elia’s various departments. Karel was one of them. “Young Graduates follow a lot of training during their first two years, and discover different functions within Elia. But I was lucky enough to get a permanent position at Infrastructure, the department in which I had applied.”

“I had chosen Infrastructure with full knowledge of the facts. Elia’s grid is expanding rapidly, and I wanted to experience this change up close, but also to contribute to it. Within Infrastructure, Karel was aiming for a position as a Project Engineer. “I like to work in a focused way, and that’s exactly what a Project Engineer does.”

The role of Project Engineer is relatively new at Elia. Karel explains: “Previously, infrastructure projects were entirely coordinated by Project Leaders. They supervised everything, from the technical study to the monitoring of the site, including the planning and the budget. Today, they work hand in hand with us, the Project Engineers.”

“As a Project Engineer, I am the point of contact for the technical quality of a project. I am responsible for the Study Report, previously known as the ‘project note’. This document describes the progress of the project and all decisions that have been made. I am also responsible for starting up, monitoring, and ensuring the quality of the various studies within a project, ranging from internal preliminary studies to environmental permits, detailed studies, and related research in collaboration with external partners.”

“The advantage of this new position is that it relieves the Project Leaders. Projects are becoming more and more numerous and complex, which has been making the tasks of Project Leaders more and more difficult. This new distribution also makes it easier for beginners like me to get their foot in the door. My tasks are clear, and I know in which direction I am going.”

Elia distinguishes five types of Project Engineers: high voltage in substations (SUB), low voltage (PAC), telecoms (TCOM), lines (LINE) and civil works(CW). Karel is dedicated to the substations. “All the high-voltage lines and cables run through substations. Project Engineers Substations also often work with other Project Engineers. This makes my work exciting and varied.”

“At the moment, I am monitoring six projects in East Flanders, West Flanders and Hainaut. It can be the expansion of a substation, a new connection for a customer, the replacement of a transformer, etc. My favourite project is the Kluizendok in Ghent. We are in the process of building a brand new high-voltage substation there. We really started from scratch, wondering where we were going to erect the building, where the cables would go, etc. We are also in contact with design offices and stakeholders such as Fluvius, the port manager and Sweco, and even with archaeologists.”

“A Project Engineer does not sit all day in front of a screen. I talk to Designers and Project Leaders, visit construction sites and check that the solutions work in practice. I never get bored! And not to spoil anything, I am trusted and entrusted with many responsibilities. When I find an effective solution to a technical problem through logical reasoning, it gives me a real boost.”

“What I also really appreciate is the support I receive. I follow many training courses, online or at the Elia Academy Training Center, and I follow experienced colleagues in their work. If I have a question, I can always count on my team to help me. This good atmosphere makes me enjoy going to work.”

“It’s not that easy, of course. When you manage six projects simultaneously, it is sometimes difficult to see the big picture. I like to respond quickly to messages, but that’s not always possible given the amount of emails I receive every day. The best way to relax myself is to go offline, and do something with my friends. Going to a café, listening to music or playing mini football, for example.”

Karel’s ambitions? “I would like to manage at least one project from A to Z. It can easily last four years, so I have to be patient! But my biggest dream would be to have an impact on the community. Electricity is essential to our way of life, as we have seen again recently with the huge blackout in Portugal and Spain. And Elia is one of the most important players in the electricity sector. I am proud to be able to make a difference!”